Jeffre Hieftje
Grand Rapids
Summary
Dynamic culinary professional with extensive experience as a Chef and manager, specializing in menu development and cost control. Demonstrated success in training staff and enhancing food safety compliance, leading to elevated customer satisfaction levels. Committed to fostering teamwork while maintaining high-quality standards in fast-paced kitchen environments. Expertise includes waste reduction, cost-to-benefit analysis, sustainability initiatives, and guest retention strategies.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Turnstiles
Grand Rapids
08.2024 - 02.2025
- Oversaw food handling and preparation to encourage safety and consistency.
- Trained workers in food preparation, money handling, and cleaning roles to facilitate restaurant operations.
- Placed and received orders and dealt with inventory management
- Resolved customer complaints regarding food quality or service promptly and professionally.
- Trained new employees to perform duties.
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Garage Bar & Grill
Grand Rapids
07.2023 - 07.2024
- Oversaw meal preparation and monitored food handling to encourage safety.
- Promoted safe working conditions by monitoring safety procedures and equipment.
- Inspected dining and serving areas for cleanliness and proper setup.
- Participated in annual vendor negotiations which resulted in significant cost savings for the organization.
- Inspected restrooms and dining and serving areas to foster cleanliness and proper setup.
- Monitored food cost percentages and labor costs to ensure budgetary goals were met.
Chef
Graydons Crossing
Grand Rapids
01.2023 - 07.2023
- Supervised food preparation staff to deliver high-quality results.
- Communicated effectively with wait staff regarding patron food allergies and dietary restrictions.
- Trained kitchen workers on culinary techniques.
- Assessed inventory levels and placed orders to replenish goods before supplies depleted.
- Exercised portion control for items served, eliminating waste.
- Assigned specific duties to employees to maintain productive operation of kitchen and food service.
- Suggested and prepared promotional dishes according to ingredient availability and customer preferences.
- Prepared workstations with ingredients and tools to increase efficiency.
Chef
Turnstiles
Grand Rapids
04.2020 - 12.2022
- Collaborated with vendors to purchase optimal recipe ingredients at cost-effective rates.
- Communicated effectively with wait staff regarding patron food allergies and dietary restrictions.
- Trained kitchen workers on culinary techniques.
- Assessed inventory levels and placed orders to replenish goods before supplies depleted.
- Exercised portion control for items served, eliminating waste.
- Trained new chefs on proper cooking techniques and menu items.
- Assigned specific duties to employees to maintain productive operation of kitchen and food service.
- Suggested and prepared promotional dishes according to ingredient availability and customer preferences.
- Met with clients to discuss menus and meal options for weddings and banquets.
- Instructed cooks and other workers in preparation, cooking, garnishing and presentation of food
Education
Mechanical Engineering
Muskegon Community College
Muskegon, MI05-2010
General Studies
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids, MI03-2008
Skills
- Food safety
- Inventory management
- Menu planning
- Menu Development
- Employee training
- Cost control
- Customer service
- Team building
- Vendor negotiation
- Quality assurance
- Workstation organization
- Cleaning standards
- Culinary techniques
- Scheduling staff
- Food safety compliance
- BOH operations
- Kitchen staff coordination
- Waste reduction
Certification
- Cicerone Certification
- Servsafe Certification
- TIPS Certification
- TAMS Certification
References
- Jonathan Elliot
General Manager, MDRD
(616) 821-12671
- John-Michael Scott
General Manager, Turnstiles
(616) 308-5977
- Megan Beemer
Service Staff, MDRD
(616) 558-4809
- Ben Nies
General Manager, Garage Bar & Grill
(616) 419-6412
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Turnstiles
08.2024 - 02.2025
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Garage Bar & Grill
07.2023 - 07.2024
Chef
Graydons Crossing
01.2023 - 07.2023
Chef
Turnstiles
04.2020 - 12.2022
Mechanical Engineering
Muskegon Community College
General Studies
Grand Rapids Community College