Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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John Kent

Orange City,FL

Summary

Proven Culinary Director with a track record of enhancing dining experiences at Mainstay/Ansley Park at Orange City through innovative menu development and rigorous food safety standards. Excelled in building a cohesive culinary team, demonstrating strong kitchen management and mentoring abilities. Achieved significant improvements in efficiency and employee retention by fostering a supportive and productive work environment.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Culinary Director

Mainstay/Ansley Park at Orange City
11.2023 - Current
  • Enhanced dining experiences by developing innovative and diverse menus tailored to various dietary needs and preferences.
  • Implemented food safety protocols that maintained a clean and compliant kitchen environment while meeting local health department requirements.
  • Oversaw staff scheduling processes that ensured adequate coverage during peak periods without compromising service standards or employee job satisfaction levels.
  • Maintained a safe and productive work environment by enforcing proper food handling practices, sanitation guidelines, and workplace safety protocols at all times.
  • Developed a strong culinary team through consistent coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations resulting in excellent employee retention rates.
  • Streamlined kitchen operations for improved efficiency through effective staff training, equipment upgrades, and process improvements.
  • Managed food costs by implementing inventory control measures, reducing waste, and negotiating with suppliers for better pricing.
  • Improved kitchen morale by fostering a positive work environment where team members felt valued and supported in their professional growth opportunities.

Kitchen Manager

Aramark
05.2023 - 10.2023
  • Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to all health department regulations and guidelines.
  • Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
  • Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
  • Mentored and trained new team members, fostering a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
  • Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
  • Reduced food waste by closely monitoring inventory levels and implementing proper food storage techniques.
  • Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen team and service areas for optimal guest experiences.
  • Consistently met or exceeded local health department inspection requirements through diligent adherence to safety protocols and maintaining thorough documentation records.
  • Improved kitchen efficiency by implementing streamlined processes and optimizing staff scheduling.
  • Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.

Sous Chef

John Knox Village
01.2023 - 05.2023
  • Managed food preparation tasks during high-volume service periods, ensuring all orders were executed in a timely manner without sacrificing quality or presentation standards.
  • Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
  • Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
  • Managed inventory levels effectively, resulting in reduced food waste and cost savings for the establishment.
  • Played a key role in achieving positive health inspection results by maintaining strict compliance with all relevant guidelines and regulations throughout daily operations.
  • Implemented proper cleaning procedures, ensuring a safe and sanitary kitchen workspace compliant with health department regulations.

Assistant Executive Chef

SMA Corrections Facility
08.2009 - 12.2022
  • Enhanced kitchen efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing time-saving techniques.
  • Conducted regular equipment maintenance checks, addressing issues promptly to minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations.
  • Spearheaded creative culinary initiatives, elevating the dining experience for customers seeking unique flavor combinations.
  • Collaborated with Executive Chef to create seasonal menus that showcased fresh ingredients and appealed to diverse tastes.
  • Implemented effective staff schedules for optimized labor management, reducing overtime costs while maintaining service standards.

Education

High School Diploma -

Waynesville Sr. High School
Waynesville, MO
05.1981

Skills

  • Food Pairings
  • Special Event Planning
  • Sanitation Practices
  • Nutritional knowledge
  • Food presentation
  • Kitchen Management
  • Food Safety Standards
  • Menu development
  • Food Trend Awareness
  • Dining facility management

Timeline

Culinary Director

Mainstay/Ansley Park at Orange City
11.2023 - Current

Kitchen Manager

Aramark
05.2023 - 10.2023

Sous Chef

John Knox Village
01.2023 - 05.2023

Assistant Executive Chef

SMA Corrections Facility
08.2009 - 12.2022

High School Diploma -

Waynesville Sr. High School
John Kent