JAMES POCOCK
Lexington,KY
Summary
Results-driven Culinary Professional with 5+ years of progressive kitchen experience in upscale establishments and hotels. Proven track record in kitchen management, menu execution, and operational excellence. Specialized expertise in breakfast service, multi-station cooking, and maintaining exceptional food safety standards. Demonstrated success in team leadership and cost control management.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Breakfast Chef
Hilton Garden Inn Hotel
Lexington, KY
06.2023 - Current
- Independently manage complete AM buffet operations, serving 100+ guests daily
- Execute daily mise en place while maintaining strict food safety and presentation standards
- Reduce food waste by 15% through improved inventory management and portion control
- Maintain 98% guest satisfaction rating through consistent quality and presentation
- Coordinate with F&B management to develop seasonal menu variations
- Manage kitchen sanitation program, consistently achieving perfect health inspection scores
Chef & Kitchen Manager
The Quarry Modern Eatery
Monroe, MI
09.2020 - 05.2023
- Supervised kitchen operations and staff of 8, ensuring seamless service execution
- Reduced monthly food costs by 8% through improved inventory management
- Developed and implemented standardized recipes and portion controls
- Managed $15,000 weekly food ordering and inventory
- Trained 20+ line cooks in advanced cooking techniques and safety procedures
- Maintained equipment maintenance schedules, reducing repair costs by 25%
- Created and executed daily prep lists ensuring optimal service readiness
Line Cook
Public House
Monroe, MI
11.2019 - 08.2020
- Mastered multiple cooking stations including grill, sauté, and fryer positions
- Assisted in menu development and daily specials creation
- Maintained strict adherence to food safety and sanitation standards
- Executed high-volume service during peak hours, averaging 200 covers per shift
Deli Operations Specialist
Kroger Stores
Monroe, MI
05.2019 - 01.2020
- Generated $5,000+ weekly in deli sales through superior customer service
- Created custom party platters and catering orders for groups of 50-200
- Managed inventory and reduced waste by implementing FIFO system
- Trained 4 new team members in food safety and customer service protocols
Education
High School Diploma -
Kalamazoo Central High School
Kalamazoo, MI01.2017
Skills
- Advanced knife skills
- Batch cooking
- Banquet service
- Menu planning
- Recipe standardization
- Food cost control
- Combi ovens
- Commercial ranges
- Char broilers
- Flat tops
- Deep fryers
- Commercial mixers
- Inventory management software
- POS systems
- Labor scheduling
- Cost analysis
- HACCP standards
- Health code compliance
- Allergen awareness
- Food safety protocols
- Kitchen Management
- Team Leadership
- Food Safety
- Sanitation Standards
- Cost Control
- Inventory Management
- Menu Development
- Execution
- Staff Training
- Development
- Quality Control
- Standard Operating Procedures
- Customer Service Excellence
- Time Management
- Organization
- Effective Communication
- Food Safety Compliance
- Schedule implementation
- Workflow Optimization
Certification
- Food Safety Manager Certification, Lexington-Fayette County, Current
- ANSI-Accredited Food Handlers Certification, 09/30/25
- Kentucky Alcohol Server License, 09/30/25
- ServSafe Food Handler Certification
Technicalexpertise
Advanced knife skills, Batch cooking, Banquet service, Menu planning, Recipe standardization, Food cost control, Combi ovens, Commercial ranges, Char broilers, Flat tops, Deep fryers, Commercial mixers, Inventory management software, POS systems, Labor scheduling, Cost analysis, HACCP standards, Health code compliance, Allergen awareness, Food safety protocols
Timeline
Executive Breakfast Chef
Hilton Garden Inn Hotel
06.2023 - Current
Chef & Kitchen Manager
The Quarry Modern Eatery
09.2020 - 05.2023
Line Cook
Public House
11.2019 - 08.2020
Deli Operations Specialist
Kroger Stores
05.2019 - 01.2020
High School Diploma -
Kalamazoo Central High School