Ernie Hazlewood
LITTLEROCK,AR
Summary
Experienced Cook Shift Leader with strong kitchen organization, food safety, and team leadership skills. Skilled at guiding busy shifts, training staff, and keeping food quality and ticket flow on track.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook Shift Leader
Mack's Fish House
Heber Springs, AR
09.2008 - 09.2026
- Coordinated prep schedules and station readiness to support smooth service across busy periods.
- Supervised kitchen line during shifts, maintaining consistent food quality and timely ticket flow.
- Trained new cooks on recipes, plating standards, and sanitation procedures.
- Monitored inventory levels and communicated supply needs to prevent service disruptions.
- Enforced food safety and cleanliness standards across cooking stations and storage areas.
- Resolved kitchen workflow issues quickly to keep orders moving efficiently.
- Checked portion control and recipe consistency to maintain menu standards.
- Supported team communication between front-of-house and back-of-house during peak service.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, adhering to health department standards for safety and sanitation.
- Demonstrated exceptional multitasking abilities by overseeing multiple cooking stations simultaneously while maintaining quality control standards.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Successfully managed inventory and reduced waste by carefully monitoring food usage and rotating stock.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Inspected freezer and refrigerator daily to check and maintain proper temperatures.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality meals in a timely manner.
- Trained and mentored new cooks, resulting in increased productivity and improved teamwork within the kitchen staff.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Handled high-pressure situations calmly and professionally, maintaining focus on completing tasks efficiently without compromising quality.
- Supported overall restaurant success through cross-training in various positions when necessary to provide adequate coverage during busy times.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Upheld strict adherence to company policies regarding food handling practices, employee conduct, and dress code requirements.
- Contributed to positive workplace culture by fostering open communication among team members and addressing issues proactively before they escalated.
- Assisted in menu planning and development, incorporating guest feedback and industry trends to keep offerings fresh and appealing.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to the food cost and the budget.
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between kitchen and dining room teams for optimal guest satisfaction.
- Utilized expert knowledge of various cooking techniques to prepare diverse dishes that met or exceeded guest expectations.
- Assisted management with scheduling, ensuring proper coverage during busy shifts and reducing labor costs.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable pricing on ingredients without sacrificing quality.
- Monitored equipment maintenance schedules, ensuring timely repairs and replacements as needed for uninterrupted kitchen operations.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
- Managed opening and closing shift kitchen tasks.
- Maintained food safety and sanitation standards.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
Education
High School Diploma -
Heber Springs High School
Heber Springs, AR05.1996
Skills
- Cooking techniques
- Kitchen organization
- Food storage
- Food preparation
- Quality control
- Inventory management
- Culinary techniques
- Customer service
Timeline
Cook Shift Leader
Mack's Fish House
09.2008 - 09.2026
High School Diploma -
Heber Springs High School