Jennifer Ames
Jacksonville,FL
Summary
Seasoned Sous Chef specializing in many cuisines. Successful 15 year record in high-volume kitchens. Career achievements working with head chefs and kitchen staff to meet high standards for taste, presentation and service.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sous Chef
Cypress Village
10.2023 - Current
- Manages food preparation tasks during high-volume service periods, ensuring all orders are executed in a timely manner without sacrificing quality or presentation standards.
- Acts as head chef when required to maintain continuity of service and quality.
- Trains kitchen staff
- Plans and directs high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
- Mentors kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative work environment that improved overall team performance.
- Ensures consistent quality control of all dishes leaving the kitchen, resulting in a reputation for excellence.
- Provides exceptional customer service when addressing guest concerns or special dietary requests, building loyalty among returning clientele.
- Creates and executes high quality menus based on seasonality and product availability
Associate Director of Dining
Cypress Village
07.2021 - 10.2023
- Oversees all banquet and catering for residents and other departments
- Manages banquet and bar staff as well as bar kitchen staff
- Assists the director in all administrative tasks and menu planning
- Manages the main kitchen on a regular basis for coverage and training purposes
- Upholds all sanitation standards for Local and State Inspections.
Administrative Assistant to the Director of Dining
Cypress Village
09.2016 - 07.2021
- Maintains professional relationships with vendors and other departments
- Inputs all invoices for the dining department and maintains detailed budget files on food, supply and labor expenses
- Payroll for department staff of 100+
- Scheduling and planning of all special events and meetings for the department- provides detailed minutes for meetings
- Assists with associate education and in-servicing
- Personally manages all dining related feedback from over 500 residents on a daily basis via comment cards
- Plans multiple menus on a 7 week rotation for all healthcare, rehab and independent living residents
- Inventory and distribution of all associate uniforms
- Proficient in Microsoft Applications and Publisher.
Dietary Supervisor
Cypress Village
10.2014 - 07.2016
- Responsible for supervising tray line associates in everyday duties and all scheduling
- Handling the input of new admissions into the computer/ all diet modifications and changes
- Preparing/modifying the weekly menu and select menu for all residents
- Inputting all changes and modifications for 9 diets in weekly menu cycle
- Weekly food/supply order and inventory
- Weekly reports on kitchen sanitation
- Quick courteous response and follow up on resident/family requests and complaints.
Line Cook
Brookdale Cypress Village
10.2013 - 10.2014
- Responsible for the prepping and execution of meals up to 200 residents in multiple kitchen stations
- Produced all texture modified foods for residents with modified diets
- Upheld sanitation standards for all Local and State Inspections
- Promoted to the dietary supervisor role after 1 year
- Oversees kitchen in the absence of the executive/sous chefs.
Specialty/Wedding Cake Decorator
Publix
04.2013 - 11.2013
- In charge of executing large cake orders within minimal timeframes
- Handled all items for specialty dessert case
- Responsible for all aspects of customer service including detailed order taking, follow up and management of both positive and negative feedback
- Upheld sanitation procedures for Publix Company following H.A.C.C.P
- Guidelines and maintaining of health inspection scores.
Line Chef/Dietary Aide
Laurels Peak
10.2011 - 09.2012
- Responsible for the prepping and execution of meals up to 100 residents in assisted living and long term care
- Produced all texture modified foods and thickened liquids for residents with modified diets
- Upheld sanitation standards for all Local and State Inspections.
Line Chef/Dietary Aide
Lakewood Health System
11.2006 - 03.2010
- Responsible for prep and food production for 200+ residents and employee cafeteria- organization/rotation of all inventory
- Ran employee cafeteria during meal service/ responsible for handling all cash and balancing register.
Education
General -
Florida State College at Jacksonville
01.2021
Business/General -
Minnesota School of Business
01.2012
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Kitchen leadership
- Food Safety
- Inventory Management
- Menu development
- Employee Scheduling
- Special diets
- Pastry Skills
- Wine pairing
Certification
Serve-Safe Manager certification
Timeline
Sous Chef
Cypress Village
10.2023 - Current
Associate Director of Dining
Cypress Village
07.2021 - 10.2023
Administrative Assistant to the Director of Dining
Cypress Village
09.2016 - 07.2021
Dietary Supervisor
Cypress Village
10.2014 - 07.2016
Line Cook
Brookdale Cypress Village
10.2013 - 10.2014
Specialty/Wedding Cake Decorator
Publix
04.2013 - 11.2013
Line Chef/Dietary Aide
Laurels Peak
10.2011 - 09.2012
Line Chef/Dietary Aide
Lakewood Health System
11.2006 - 03.2010
General -
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Business/General -
Minnesota School of Business
Serve-Safe Manager certification
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