Estralita Womack
Birmingham,AL
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Culinary Intern
Americorps Vista - Volunteers In Service To America
Birmingham, AL
11.2024 - 02.2025
- Monitored inventory levels and assisted in ordering supplies to minimize waste.
- Trained new interns on kitchen procedures, safety protocols, and equipment usage.
- Implemented feedback from chefs to improve dish quality and presentation standards.
- Coordinated with front-of-house staff to streamline service flow during peak hours.
- Enhanced culinary skills by assisting in the preparation of various dishes under the guidance of experienced chefs.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities, attending workshops and seminars to further enhance culinary skills and knowledge.
- Assisted with menu planning and recipe development, contributing to innovative and delicious dishes for guests.
- Managed inventory effectively, tracking ingredient usage and reporting shortages to ensure timely restocking.
- Adapted quickly to new equipment or technology introduced into the kitchen workflow, showcasing a commitment to continuous learning.
- Gained proficiency in multiple cooking techniques through hands-on experience in diverse kitchen environments.
- Cleaned kitchen counters, refrigerators, and freezers.
- Followed strict standards for food handling and safety, minimizing risks to customers.
- Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
- Managed opening and closing shift kitchen tasks.
- Coordinated checklists to keep kitchen clean, stocked and sanitary.
- Planned menus for different events, seasons and customer requests.
- Assisted in food preparation and plating for high-volume service.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen stations to ensure compliance with health standards.
- Contributed to successful catering events by preparing ingredients, assembling platters, and serving guests with professionalism.
- Demonstrated attention to detail while plating dishes attractively for optimal guest satisfaction.
- Learned proper food storage methods to maintain freshness and minimize waste within the kitchen setting.
- Participated in food tastings, providing valuable feedback for flavor profiles and presentation improvements.
- Gained knowledge of dietary restrictions and allergens, allowing for safe meal preparation tailored to individual guest needs.
- Contributed to efficient food preparation during busy meal services by working effectively within the kitchen team dynamic.
- Increased understanding of local sourcing practices by participating in visits to farms and markets as part of an educational program.
- Checked expiration dates, rotated food, and removed any items that were no longer usable.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
- Maintained food safety and sanitation standards.
- Measured, weighed, and mixed appropriate ingredients according to recipe directions.
- Prepared and served various food items in fast-paced Type environment.
- Monitored food quality and presentation to maintain high standards.
- Measured and mixed ingredients according to precise recipes for best results.
- Adjusted recipes based on ingredient availability or customer request.
Culinary Intern
North Italia
Birmingham, AL
08.2024 - 10.2024
- Assisted in food preparation and plating for high-volume service.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen stations to ensure compliance with health standards.
- Collaborated with chefs to develop daily specials, enhancing menu offerings.
- Executed cooking techniques under chef supervision, ensuring consistency in flavor and presentation.
- Contributed to successful catering events by preparing ingredients, assembling platters, and serving guests with professionalism.
- Demonstrated attention to detail while plating dishes attractively for optimal guest satisfaction.
- Learned proper food storage methods to maintain freshness and minimize waste within the kitchen setting.
- Improved time management abilities by prioritizing tasks efficiently during busy shifts at the restaurant.
- Participated in food tastings, providing valuable feedback for flavor profiles and presentation improvements.
- Gained knowledge of dietary restrictions and allergens, allowing for safe meal preparation tailored to individual guest needs.
- Contributed to efficient food preparation during busy meal services by working effectively within the kitchen team dynamic.
- Increased understanding of local sourcing practices by participating in visits to farms and markets as part of an educational program.
- Observed head chefs and how each prepared different specialties to gain knowledge in cooking techniques.
- Read through recipes and set up ingredients for Type chef.
- Checked expiration dates, rotated food, and removed any items that were no longer usable.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
- Maintained food safety and sanitation standards.
- Measured, weighed, and mixed appropriate ingredients according to recipe directions.
- Prepared and served various food items in fast-paced Type environment.
- Monitored food quality and presentation to maintain high standards.
- Worked closely with kitchen team to meet high demand with delicious, on-recipe foods.
- Measured and mixed ingredients according to precise recipes for best results.
- Adjusted recipes based on ingredient availability or customer request.
Team Member
McDonald's
Birmingham, AL
08.1995 - 12.1997
- Provided exceptional customer service, ensuring satisfaction through effective communication and responsiveness.
- Operated kitchen equipment efficiently to prepare food items in compliance with safety standards.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain cleanliness and organization of workstations during peak hours.
- Assisted in training new staff on operational procedures and customer engagement techniques.
- Learned all required tasks quickly to maximize performance.
- Kept work areas clean, organized, and safe to promote efficiency and team safety.
- Participated in team meetings to identify process improvements that enhance efficiency and productivity.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly, enhancing overall dining experience and loyalty.
- Monitored inventory levels, restocking supplies to minimize disruptions in service delivery.
- Developed strong customer service and product knowledge skills to enhance individual and team performance.
- Operated register to process payments and collect cash payment for order totals.
- Worked different stations to provide optimal coverage and meet production goals.
- Addressed and resolved customer complaints in polite and professional manner.
- Increased customer satisfaction with prompt and accurate responses to inquiries, addressing concerns, and resolving issues.
- Assisted with inventory counts and stocking of merchandise.
Assistant Manager
Corn Dog 7
Hoover, AL
03.1993 - 10.1995
- Analyzed customer feedback to refine service offerings and improve overall guest satisfaction.
- Led team meetings to discuss performance metrics and strategize for upcoming events or promotions.
- Mentored junior staff members in their professional development by offering guidance/support in their assigned roles.
- Collaborated with the management team to develop strategic plans for business growth and improvement.
- Increased sales through effective merchandising strategies and targeted promotions.
- Oversaw daily operations to maintain store cleanliness and organization.
- Coordinated with vendors for timely inventory replenishment, ensuring product availability.
- Ensured compliance with all safety regulations by conducting regular inspections of equipment/operations within the store.
- Coordinated with vendors to ensure timely delivery of products and resolve any supply chain issues.
- Boosted employee morale by recognizing outstanding performance and celebrating team accomplishments.
- Scheduled staff shifts to ensure proper coverage during peak shopping hours without exceeding labor budgets.
- Promoted teamwork within the workplace by encouraging collaboration among staff members on various project tasks.
- Assisted in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new employees to maintain adequate staffing levels.
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service.
- Managed inventory levels to minimize stockouts while reducing overhead costs.
- Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies, and forecast future needs.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Oversaw daily cash reconciliations, ensuring accurate financial reporting and minimizing discrepancies.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Managed inventory levels, ensuring product availability while minimizing excess stock.
- Assisted in training new employees on operational procedures and customer service standards.
- Supported daily operations by coordinating staff schedules and ensuring adequate coverage.
- Offered hands-on assistance to customers, assessing needs, and maintaining current knowledge of consumer preferences.
- Monitored cash intake and deposit records, increasing accuracy, and reducing discrepancies.
- Reduced waste and pursued revenue development strategies to keep department aligned with sales and profit targets.
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
- Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
- Optimized scheduling to ensure adequate staffing during peak hours, improving service efficiency.
- Maintained compliance with health and safety regulations, ensuring safe environment for both staff and customers.
- Engaged with customers to gather feedback, using insights to improve service and product offerings.
Team Leader
Lee's Chicken
Birmingham, AL
06.1991 - 11.1992
- Supervised daily operations to ensure team efficiency and productivity.
- Trained new staff on operational procedures and customer service standards.
- Implemented process improvements to enhance service speed and quality.
- Coordinated inventory management and stock replenishment activities consistently.
- Fostered a positive team environment through effective communication and support.
- Empowered team members by delegating responsibilities according to individual strengths and areas of expertise.
- Managed conflict resolution among team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Enhanced team productivity by implementing efficient work processes and regularly reviewing performance metrics.
- Mentored junior staff members, helping them develop their leadership potential and advance in their careers.
- Increased customer satisfaction ratings by closely monitoring service quality standards and addressing any issues promptly.
Assistant Manager
Little Caesars Pizza
Birmingham, AL
02.1990 - 03.1991
- Conducted employee performance evaluations, providing constructive feedback for growth and development.
- Implemented staff training programs, enhancing product knowledge and improving customer service skills.
- Monitored sales trends to adjust pricing strategies for optimal profitability.
- Conducted performance evaluations, identifying areas for development and rewarding strong performance.
- Facilitated team-building activities, enhancing team cohesion and morale.
- Implemented staff training programs to elevate service standards and knowledge.
- Coached new employees, ensuring smooth onboarding process and quicker adaptation to their roles.
- Improved customer satisfaction by resolving complaints and inquiries promptly.
- Conducted performance evaluations and provided constructive feedback to employees.
- Assisted in budget preparation, ensuring alignment with financial goals.
- Enhanced team productivity by streamlining operational processes.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Mentored junior staff members in their professional development by offering guidance/support in their assigned roles.
- Increased sales through effective merchandising strategies and targeted promotions.
- Reduced waste and pursued revenue development strategies to keep department aligned with sales and profit targets.
- Oversaw daily operations to maintain store cleanliness and organization.
- Coordinated with vendors for timely inventory replenishment, ensuring product availability.
- Ensured compliance with all safety regulations by conducting regular inspections of equipment/operations within the store.
- Coordinated with vendors to ensure timely delivery of products and resolve any supply chain issues.
- Boosted employee morale by recognizing outstanding performance and celebrating team accomplishments.
- Scheduled staff shifts to ensure proper coverage during peak shopping hours without exceeding labor budgets.
- Promoted teamwork within the workplace by encouraging collaboration among staff members on various project tasks.
Assistant Manager
Skooters
Homewood, AL
05.1987 - 08.1989
- Supported daily operations by coordinating staff schedules and ensuring adequate coverage.
- Assisted in training new employees on operational procedures and customer service standards.
- Managed inventory levels, ensuring product availability while minimizing excess stock.
- Implemented process improvements that enhanced efficiency in service delivery and reduced wait times.
- Developed promotional materials to increase customer engagement and drive sales initiatives.
- Collaborated with management to develop training programs aimed at improving staff performance and retention.
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Developed strong working relationships with staff, fostering a positive work environment.
- Oversaw daily cash reconciliations, ensuring accurate financial reporting and minimizing discrepancies.
- Improved customer satisfaction by addressing and resolving complaints promptly.
- Completed regular inventory counts to verify stock levels, address discrepancies, and forecast future needs.
- Managed inventory levels to minimize stockouts while reducing overhead costs.
- Generated repeat business through exceptional customer service.
- Assisted in recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of new employees to maintain adequate staffing levels.
- Promoted teamwork within the workplace by encouraging collaboration among staff members on various project tasks.
- Enforced company policies consistently while handling disciplinary actions when necessary with fairness and respect.
- Scheduled staff shifts to ensure proper coverage during peak shopping hours without exceeding labor budgets.
- Boosted employee morale by recognizing outstanding performance and celebrating team accomplishments.
- Coordinated with vendors to ensure timely delivery of products and resolve any supply chain issues.
- Ensured compliance with all safety regulations by conducting regular inspections of equipment/operations within the store.
- Coordinated with vendors for timely inventory replenishment, ensuring product availability.
- Oversaw daily operations to maintain store cleanliness and organization.
Timeline
Culinary Intern
Americorps Vista - Volunteers In Service To America
11.2024 - 02.2025
Culinary Intern
North Italia
08.2024 - 10.2024
Team Member
McDonald's
08.1995 - 12.1997
Assistant Manager
Corn Dog 7
03.1993 - 10.1995
Team Leader
Lee's Chicken
06.1991 - 11.1992
Assistant Manager
Little Caesars Pizza
02.1990 - 03.1991
Assistant Manager
Skooters
05.1987 - 08.1989