Don Simon
Cleveland,OH
Summary
Seeking a position where I can utilize my administrative, organizational, . . communication, and project management skills proven ~ Over 25 years of experience. Diplomatic and tactful with professionals and non-professionals at all levels. Accustomed to handling sensitive, confidential records. Demonstrated history of producing accurate, timely reports meeting stringent food safety guidelines. Flexible and versatile with the ability to maintain a sense of humor under pressure. Excellent team-building skills.
Highly skilled Culinary Director with a diverse background in food service management and menu development. Possess strong leadership skills, adept at team building, budgeting, and implementing innovative culinary trends in menu creation. Notably successful in enhancing guest experiences while successfully increasing revenue and reducing costs. Known for maintaining high quality standards in all areas of kitchen operations.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Culinary Director
Anthology at Mayfield
Mayfield Heights, OH
05.2023 - 07.2024
- Established food preparation procedures and guidelines to promote meal consistency and quality.
- Streamlined kitchen processes, reducing waste and mentoring team members on proper procedures to enhance overall efficiency.
- Planned menus and ordered various food stock to provide balanced and nutritious meals.
- Managed operations of dietary department, achieving citation-free state and health inspections.
- Maintained effective supply levels by monitoring and reordering food stock and dry goods.
- Collaborated with management to establish pricing based on inventory costs and portion sizes.
Culinary Director
Hillside Plaza
Euclid, OH
05.2022 - 06.2023
- Directed culinary operations to deliver high-quality meals, enhancing guest satisfaction and dining experience.
Director of Dining Services
Brookdale Senior Living
Wickliffe, OH
04.2020 - 04.2022
- Hired, trained, and directed team of dining services professionals, enhancing workforce skills and performance.
- Motivated staff to achieve peak efficiency and maintain high-quality standards in service delivery.
- Supervised daily operations of dietary staff, ensuring smooth workflow and adherence to service protocols.
- Facilitated regular meetings with dietary staff to discuss operations and address concerns.
- Ensure accountability and sanitation
- Customer service regarding residents and families
- Ensure nutritional needs of residents are met
- Enter/remove diet orders
- Supervise tray line
- Maintained exceptional standards of safety and sanitation in all areas.
- Executed various tasks to support team operations.
Dietary Director
North Park Care Center
Brook Park, OH
02.2016 - 04.2020
- Managed day-to-day kitchen operations, including purchasing food and supplies, scheduling and training staff, budgeting, meal planning, and nutrition consulting.
- Supported patients and clients in developing tailored meal plans to meet specific dietary needs.
- Developed nutrition plans addressing individual patient diabetes and food allergies.
- Identified high-risk individuals by observing signs of dietary issues and referred them to registered dietitian for further assessment.
- Cultivated positive relationships with colleagues and clients to enhance teamwork.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Dietary Supervisor
Altenheim & Schirmer place
Strongsville, OH
08.2013 - 02.2016
- Ordered food, scheduled shifts, trained staff, hired personnel, managed confidential data input, handled billing, and supervised kitchen operations.
- Interviewed, hired and trained dietary personnel to provide optimal service.
- Monitored production to check safety, standardized production and appropriate portioning.
- Visited with residents to inquire about satisfaction, quality and personal preferences.
- Purchased food supplies for department while adhering to budget constraints.
- Fostered teamwork by collaborating with staff to improve communication and cooperation.
- Skills Used leadership and guidance.
- Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Demonstrated respect and friendliness while assisting team members.
Cook/supervisor
PARKSIDE VILLA HEALTHCARE
Middleburg, OH
12.2010 - 08.2013
- Cooked and managed the tray line for a 170-bed facility; supervised evening kitchen staff and coordinated inventory management.
Cook/Evening Shift Supervisor
NORTHWESTERN HEALTHCARE
Berea, OH
03.2007 - 12.2010
- Prepared meals adhering to strict dietary guidelines to support patient health needs.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and adhered to food safety standards consistently.
- Trained new kitchen staff on proper cooking techniques and safety practices.
- Managed inventory and ordered supplies to ensure kitchen efficiency.
- Collaborated with healthcare staff to tailor menus based on patient preferences, enhancing satisfaction.
- Cooked meals for residents, creating a positive dining experience that promoted community and well-being.
- Skills Used leadership.
Dietary Supervisor
NORMANDY MANOR
Rocky River, OH
07.2001 - 01.2007
- Supervised daily meal preparation and service for residents' dietary needs.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained dietary personnel to enhance service quality.
- Coordinated staff schedules to maintain adequate coverage during peak meal times.
- Trained new employees on food safety and sanitation practices.
- Consulted with dietitians to plan menus appropriate for patient needs.
- Monitored production to check safety, standardized production and appropriate portioning.
- Engaged with residents to assess satisfaction, gather feedback on quality, and understand personal preferences.
- Conducted regular inspections of kitchen equipment for maintenance and safety compliance.
Assistant Dietary Manager
HCR MANOR CARE
North Olmsted, OH
06.1999 - 06.2001
- Collaborated with dietitians to develop patient-centered menus.
- Interviewed, hired and trained dietary personnel to provide optimal service.
- Monitored production to ensure safety and standardized portioning.
- Engaged residents in discussions about their dining preferences to enhance their experience. to gather feedback on dining preferences and improve satisfaction. to discuss dining preferences and experiences. to gather feedback on their dining experience. to inquire about satisfaction, quality and personal preferences.
Dietary Supervisor
PLEASANT LAKE VILLA
Parma, OH
05.1997 - 06.1999
- Collaborated with dietitians to develop menus tailored to patient dietary requirements.
- Oversaw production processes to ensure safety compliance, standardized output, and accurate portioning.
- Performed daily operational tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Education
Basic -
WEST TECH HIGH SCHOOL
Cleveland, OH 08.1989 - 01/1993
Skills
- Leadership Experience
- Management/Supervision
- Supervising
- Inventory Control
- Food Safety
- Culinary/Dietary Skills
- Food Service Management
- Quality Control
- Culinary Experience
- Scheduling
- Kitchen Management Experience
- Accounting/Billing
- Menu Planning
- Office/Computer Skills
- Proficient Training
- Proper food handling
- Storage
- Equipment use
- Preventing the spread of foodborne illness
- Communication skills
- Supervising experience
- Cooking
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Training & development
- Hospitality
- Team management
Certification
- ServSafe level two
- Food service manager certificate
- Food protection certificate
Personal Information
Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Timeline
Culinary Director
Anthology at Mayfield
05.2023 - 07.2024
Culinary Director
Hillside Plaza
05.2022 - 06.2023
Director of Dining Services
Brookdale Senior Living
04.2020 - 04.2022
Dietary Director
North Park Care Center
02.2016 - 04.2020
Dietary Supervisor
Altenheim & Schirmer place
08.2013 - 02.2016
Cook/supervisor
PARKSIDE VILLA HEALTHCARE
12.2010 - 08.2013
Cook/Evening Shift Supervisor
NORTHWESTERN HEALTHCARE
03.2007 - 12.2010
Dietary Supervisor
NORMANDY MANOR
07.2001 - 01.2007
Assistant Dietary Manager
HCR MANOR CARE
06.1999 - 06.2001
Dietary Supervisor
PLEASANT LAKE VILLA
05.1997 - 06.1999
Basic -
WEST TECH HIGH SCHOOL
08.1989 - 01/1993