Jessica Dykema
Muskegon,MI
Summary
Passionate Executive Chef skilled in menu creation, kitchen staff management, and culinary direction. Creative and artistic professional recognized for upholding the highest standards and developing compelling seasonal menus.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead chef
Trilogy Health Services
Muskegon, Michigan
12.2024 - Current
- Led kitchen staff in Trilogy Health Services senior living dining operations
- Prepared daily meals for residents, ensuring adherence to dietary and texture requirements for optimal health
- Collaborated with dietary teams and care staff to create weekly menus tailored to residents' nutritional needs
- Trained cooks and aides on recipe procedures and serving methods to enhance meal quality and service delivery
- Inspected food quality and presentation before meal delivery
- Managed special meal requests for residents with dietary restrictions
- Supervised food safety and sanitation standards throughout kitchen shifts
- Planned and prepared food product orders to maintain appropriate stock levels.
Cook
The Oaks Nursing Home
Muskegon, MI
08.2021 - 12.2024
- Prepared daily meals for nursing home residents following menu plans and diet orders.
- Followed long-term care food safety and sanitation standards in kitchen operations.
- Assisted dietary staff with meal prep, plating, and service for residents.
- Assembled resident trays with accurate portions and special diet modifications.
- Checked food temperatures and held items to required service levels.
- Operated ovens, fryers and mixers safely to prevent kitchen accidents and machinery malfunction.
- Followed established procedures and requirements for safe food handling, storage and service.
- Cleaned kitchen equipment, surfaces, utensils and dishes.
- Maintained a clean working environment by sweeping, mopping floors, washing surfaces and emptying trash cans.
- Chopped, diced and sliced vegetables and fruit ahead of rush periods.
- Wrapped, dated and labeled food items in storage for safety and freshness.
- Rotated stock and organized pantry supplies for The Oaks Nursing Home kitchen.
- Communicated resident meal preferences and dietary needs with nursing home staff.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Enforced proper sanitation practices to prevent spoiling or contamination of foods.
Education
Grand Haven
Grand Haven, MISkills
- Texture-modified diets
- Menu development
- Menu coordination
- Recipe standardization methods
- Portion control
- Food safety practices
- Food safety practices standards
- Food presentation
- Attention to detail
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
Timeline
Lead chef
Trilogy Health Services
12.2024 - Current
Cook
The Oaks Nursing Home
08.2021 - 12.2024
Grand Haven