- Enjoy participating in [activity] for overall physical and mental well-being
- I participate in low-impact exercises to strengthen core muscles
- Yoga
- I participate in various sports activities for physical activity, camaraderie, and personal growth
- Gym Workouts
- Team Sports
- Mindfulness Practices
- Swimming
- Passionate about balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness
- Regularly practice mindfulness and meditation for overall wellness
JESSICA SMITH
North Oxford,MA
Summary
Skilled Cook Shift Leader with a proven track record at Willows Senior Living, adept in kitchen management and meal preparation. Leveraged expertise in cooking techniques and team leadership to enhance customer satisfaction and reduce waste, contributing to a positive dining experience. Excelled in multitasking, ensuring high-quality food presentation and safety standards.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Cook Shift Leader
Willows Senior Living
11.2020 - 08.2024
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, adhering to health department standards for safety and sanitation.
- Demonstrated exceptional multitasking abilities by overseeing multiple cooking stations simultaneously while maintaining quality control standards.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Successfully managed inventory and reduced waste by carefully monitoring food usage and rotating stock.
- Inspected freezer and refrigerator daily to check and maintain proper temperatures.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality meals in a timely manner.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Handled high-pressure situations calmly and professionally, maintaining focus on completing tasks efficiently without compromising quality.
- Supported overall restaurant success through cross-training in various positions when necessary to provide adequate coverage during busy times.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Assisted in menu planning and development, incorporating guest feedback and industry trends to keep offerings fresh and appealing.
- Contributed to positive workplace culture by fostering open communication among team members and addressing issues proactively before they escalated.
- Upheld strict adherence to company policies regarding food handling practices, employee conduct, and dress code requirements.
- Streamlined food preparation tasks for more efficient service during peak hours.
- Implemented innovative menu items based on current culinary trends, leading to positive feedback from customers.
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between kitchen and dining room teams for optimal guest satisfaction.
- Utilized expert knowledge of various cooking techniques to prepare diverse dishes that met or exceeded guest expectations.
- Developed strong relationships with vendors, negotiating favorable pricing on ingredients without sacrificing quality.
- Participated in weekly management meetings to discuss menu changes, staffing needs, and other operational concerns.
- Managed opening and closing shift kitchen tasks.
- Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
- Maintained food safety and sanitation standards.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
- Measured and mixed ingredients according to precise recipes for best results.
- Trained and supervised cooking staff to expertly meet daily needs.
Dinning Room Cordanitor
Brookdale Assisted Senior Living
10.2012 - 11.2021
- Used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve customer complaints and promote long-term loyalty.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service and maintaining a clean dining environment.
- Built long-lasting relationships with residents.
- Contributed to a positive work atmosphere by fostering teamwork among colleagues while also demonstrating initiative when needed.
- Kept server areas clean and stocked to increase efficiency while working tables.
- Took orders and delivered food items to residents in main dining room.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of menu offerings, including ingredients, preparation methods, allergens, and dietary restrictions for clear communication with guests.
- Assisted in training new servers to uphold restaurant standards for quality service and efficient operations.
- Replenished table, wait staff and kitchen supplies.
- Checked on needs of each table and retrieved additional items.
- Stayed up-to-date on menu changes to help customers make food choices.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with timely table check-ins to assess food and beverage needs.
- Assisted management in maintaining a well-stocked inventory of supplies to ensure seamless daily operations and minimize disruptions due to shortages or discrepancies.
- Consistently met or exceeded sales goals by upselling menu items and promoting daily specials to guests.
- Backed up hosts by greeting guests, assigning tables and escorting to seats.
- Checked in with customers and specific dietary needs while refilling waters and clearing plates.
- Increased dining room efficiency by promptly addressing guest inquiries and resolving concerns.
- Handled high-pressure situations calmly, ensuring smooth operations during peak hours and special events.
- Increased customer satisfaction by monitoring dietary restrictions and allergies, ensuring safe and enjoyable dining experiences for all guests.
- Ensured timely food delivery by collaborating closely with kitchen staff and prioritizing orders.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure efficient service, sharing tasks such as bussing tables, restocking supplies, and assisting with drink orders when necessary.
- Maintained excellent standards of service by closely monitoring diner safety and meeting customer needs.
- Helped create memorable experiences for diners celebrating special occasions by offering personal touches like complimentary desserts or customized menu suggestions.
- Maximized revenue opportunities through attentive beverage service, suggesting pairings that complemented meal choices and refilling drinks promptly.
- Set positive tone for entire dining experience as first point of contact for incoming guests.
Education
GED -
Middlesex Community College
Billerica, MA06-2004
Skills
- Customer service
- Team leadership
- Cooking techniques
- Kitchen organization
- Food preparation
- Food storage
- Quality control
- Multitasking and organization
- Meal preparation
- Recipe creation
- Kitchen management
- Food pairing
- Menu planning
- Sanitation procedures
- Food presentation
- Sauce making
- Cost control
- Waste reduction
- Nutrition
- Special diets
- Menu development
- Plating techniques
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Food handling safety
- Ingredient knowledge
- Health and safety compliance
- Task delegation
- Conflict resolution
- Kitchen equipment operation
- Temperature control
- Stock management
- Food allergy awareness
- Food safety
- Cleaning and sanitation
- Cooking
Certification
- CPR/AED Certification
- ServSafe Food Handler's Certification
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification– American Red Cross.
- Gluten-Free Certification Program Auditor Training – Allergy Standards Ltd.
Interests
Timeline
Cook Shift Leader
Willows Senior Living
11.2020 - 08.2024
Dinning Room Cordanitor
Brookdale Assisted Senior Living
10.2012 - 11.2021
GED -
Middlesex Community College
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