Jack Jackson
Indianapolis,IN
Summary
Dynamic culinary professional with extensive experience at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc., excelling in meal preparation and staff management. Proven track record in cost control and waste reduction, enhancing kitchen efficiency and food quality. Adept at fostering teamwork and maintaining high sanitation standards, ensuring exceptional dining experiences for guests.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Cook
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc.
04.2018 - 02.2025
- Supported kitchen operations by organizing ingredients and maintaining cleanliness.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely meal service during peak hours.
- Learned proper use of kitchen equipment and tools for efficient food production.
- Followed recipes accurately to maintain consistency in taste and presentation.
- Monitored inventory levels and reported shortages to ensure adequate supplies.
- Participated in training sessions to enhance culinary skills and knowledge of techniques.
- Adapted quickly to changing demands and maintained a positive attitude under pressure.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Maintained high standards of cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen, meeting or exceeding health department requirements.
- Inspected freezer and refrigerator daily to check and maintain proper temperatures.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Efficiently handled high-volume service periods without sacrificing quality or consistency in food preparation.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Managed kitchen staff, ensuring proper training and adherence to safety protocols for a safe working environment.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Monitored food preparation processes to maintain consistent taste, texture, and presentation of dishes.
- Mentored junior cooks, providing guidance on culinary techniques and fostering professional growth within the team.
- Reduced food waste by implementing inventory management systems and optimizing ingredient usage.
- Implemented cost-effective measures in the procurement of ingredients, resulting in significant savings without sacrificing quality.
- Tracked food costs and adjusted menu pricing accordingly to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices for customers.
- Created visually appealing plate presentations to enhance the overall dining experience for guests.
- Cultivated culture of excellence and continuous improvement by setting high performance standards for kitchen staff.
- Increased efficiency in kitchen, introducing pre-prep system that sped up meal preparation times.
- Maintained high standards of food safety and cleanliness, surpassing local health inspections.
- Developed waste reduction program that minimized food spoilage and cut down on unnecessary expenses.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly, providing constructive feedback for improvement.
- Conducted inventory management to minimize waste, ensuring optimal stock levels were maintained for all kitchen essentials.
Line Cook
Fazoli's Italian Restaurant
07.2022 - 11.2024
- Prepared high-quality dishes following recipes and presentation standards.
- Managed inventory, ensuring freshness and minimizing waste through efficient stock rotation.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to maintain smooth workflow during peak service hours.
- Trained new line cooks on food preparation techniques and kitchen procedures.
- Implemented safety and sanitation practices, enhancing kitchen compliance with health regulations.
Delivery Driver
Indianapolis Star
08.2016 - 11.2017
- Delivered packages efficiently while adhering to safety and traffic regulations.
- Navigated routes using GPS systems to optimize delivery times and reduce fuel consumption.
- Maintained vehicle cleanliness and functionality, conducting regular inspections and reporting issues promptly.
- Assisted in training new drivers on best practices for loading, unloading, and customer service interactions.
Sales Associate
Burlington Coat Factory Department Store
11.2015 - 04.2017
- Cultivated strong customer relationships, enhancing loyalty and repeat business.
- Managed inventory levels, ensuring accurate stock availability and timely replenishment.
- Trained and mentored new sales associates, fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Implemented effective merchandising strategies, optimizing product visibility and sales potential.
- Analyzed sales trends to develop targeted promotional campaigns, driving increased foot traffic.
- Resolved customer inquiries and complaints promptly, improving overall satisfaction ratings.
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Maintained calm demeanor and professionally managed issues in busy, high-stress situations.
- Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Rotated stock and restocked shelves to maintain product availability and store appearance.
Property Maintenance Tech
Seal-Cote
10.2009 - 07.2011
- Conducted routine inspections to identify maintenance needs and ensure property compliance with safety standards.
- Performed repairs on plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC units to maintain operational efficiency.
- Coordinated with vendors for specialized maintenance services, ensuring timely completion of projects.
- Implemented preventive maintenance schedules to reduce downtime and extend equipment lifespan.
Manager/Cook
Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant
06.2006 - 07.2009
- Supervised kitchen operations to ensure adherence to food safety and quality standards.
- Trained and mentored staff on efficient cooking techniques and menu preparation.
- Developed weekly inventory plans to optimize ingredient usage and minimize waste.
- Implemented streamlined processes for food preparation, enhancing kitchen productivity.
- Coordinated with management to introduce new menu items based on customer feedback.
- Ensured compliance with health regulations by conducting regular sanitation checks.
- Managed staffing schedules to maintain optimal kitchen coverage during peak hours.
- Fostered a collaborative team environment, improving overall staff morale and performance.
- Adhered to strict dietary restrictions when creating customized meal options for guests with allergies or preferences.
- Developed new menu items for increased customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Enhanced kitchen efficiency by streamlining cooking processes and implementing time-saving techniques.
- Collaborated with dining room staff to ensure seamless communication between front-and back-of-house operations.
- Promoted positive reviews from critics by consistently delivering high-quality dishes that exceeded expectations.
- Collaborated with restaurant management to develop and execute strategies for improving overall guest satisfaction.
- Enhanced presentation techniques, elevating dining experience and generating positive word-of-mouth.
- Oversaw kitchen equipment maintenance schedule, ensuring all tools and appliances were in top working condition.
- Managed kitchen budget effectively, keeping costs within targets while still delivering high-quality dishes.
Education
Associate of Arts - Nursing Science
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles California High School Diploma -
Fairfax High
Los Angeles California 08.1978
Skills
- Meal preparation
- Verbal and written communication
- Food preparation
- Food storage
- Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
- Food safety
- Cost control
- Food spoilage prevention
- Cleaning and sanitation
- Restaurant operations
- Waste reduction
- Staff management
- Sanitation standards
Additional Information
Even though I have been in the food industry for most of the last few years. I also have over thirty five years experience in various construction trades. Including custom home and commercial painting, drywall and repairs. As well as plumbing, carpentry, flooring, and roofing. And general commercial property maintenance and repars.So there is not much I can't do if, for some reason I am not cooking.
Additional Information
Although I have been working in the restaurant field these last several years. I also have over thirty five years experience in various construction trades. Including custom painting, interior and exterior. Drywall, carpentry, plumbing, flooring, roofing and landscaping. As well as commercial property maintenance. I have all the tools I would need to accomplish any of that kind of work that I might need to do. I still do my own work at home or on the occasional side job that I might pick up.
Timeline
Line Cook
Fazoli's Italian Restaurant
07.2022 - 11.2024
Head Cook
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc.
04.2018 - 02.2025
Delivery Driver
Indianapolis Star
08.2016 - 11.2017
Sales Associate
Burlington Coat Factory Department Store
11.2015 - 04.2017
Property Maintenance Tech
Seal-Cote
10.2009 - 07.2011
Manager/Cook
Lorenzo's Italian Restaurant
06.2006 - 07.2009
Associate of Arts - Nursing Science
Los Angeles City College
High School Diploma -
Fairfax High
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