Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Joseph  Cantu

Joseph Cantu

Cook
Santa Fe,NM

Summary

Head Line cook and cater. Reliable food preparation worker with strong background helping with customer orders, cooking and store cleanliness. Able to stand for long hours and complete demanding work in high-volume settings. Service-oriented, punctual and hardworking with excellent people skills. Highly adaptable individual with 41 years of expertise working in fast-paced kitchen environments. Determined Kitchen Hand preparing vegetables and sauces and creating from-scratch marinades and gravies.

Kitchen professional with practical experience in food preparation and maintaining kitchen hygiene. Known for reliability and adaptability, consistently meeting demands of dynamic kitchen. Skilled in food safety, inventory management, and effective communication.

Overview

41
41
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Kitchen Staff Member

Institute Of American Indian Arts (I.A.I.A)
04.2015 - Current

Chef: Guido Lambelet (505)-306-0027 Manager Lizet Marquez (505-204-1248) Salary: $20.50 hr.

  • Handled various food-oriented responsibilities, including chopping vegetables, cutting up fresh fruit and preparing salads.
  • Maintained clean, trash-free workspaces to maximize productivity and safety.
  • Maintained order and cleanliness of work areas in conformance with health codes.
  • Maintained a clean and organized workspace, adhering to strict hygiene standards for optimal food safety.
  • Observed strict procedures regarding food handling and sanitation to safeguard against foodborne illnesses.
  • Made food according to standard recipes with requested changes for customer satisfaction.
  • Adjusted preparation and ingredients to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies.
  • Protected food from spoilage by properly storing in freezer and refrigerator.
  • Monitored and recorded temperatures of food, storage, and service areas to maintain established, regulatory guidelines.
  • Maintained clean and sanitized work area in accordance with food safety guidelines, avoiding cross-contamination of raw and prepared food products.
  • Added garnishes and other finishing touches to improve plating presentation.
  • Verified proper operation of refrigerators, freezers and warming lamps by collecting temperature readings every day.
  • Removed required ingredients from pantry, cleaning and cutting food items as called for by recipes.

Head Line Cook

BON APPETIT, Santa Fe University of Art and Design
02.2013 - 05.2015
  • Supervisors: Melody Lambelet (505-577-1923) Paul Gentile(505-690-3028) Salary: $14 hr.
  • Maintained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
  • Washed, sliced, peeled and cut various foods to prepare for cooking or serving.
  • Inventoried kitchen sections and refilled supplies.
  • Modified standard recipes to account for ingredient issues or customer requests, including allergen concerns.
  • Stood in for other members of the kitchen staff.
  • Cooked food following specific measurements and recipes.
  • Grilled and deep fried various foods, including meats, potatoes and fish.

Prep Cook & Line Cook

Tatsu’s French Restaurant
07.2012 - 01.2013
  • Tatsu (913-383-9801) Salary: $11.50 hr.
  • Made all meals in accordance with company standards and requirements.
  • Adhered to all regulatory standards regarding safe and sanitary food prep.
  • Maintained clean and orderly appearance throughout kitchen and dining area.

Line Cook

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
08.2011 - 06.2012
  • Jason Shields (816-471-2340) Salary: $12.50 hr.
  • Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
  • Washed and peeled ingredients to prepare for use in different meals and recipes.
  • Grilled and deep fried various foods, including meats, potatoes and fish.

Lead Cook

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant
01.2003 - 08.2011

Salary: $13.75 hr.

  • Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
  • Washed, sliced, peeled and cut various foods to prepare for cooking or serving.
  • Inventoried kitchen sections and refilled supplies.
  • Cooked food following specific measurements and recipes.
  • Grilled and deep fried various foods, including meats, potatoes and fish.

Prep Cook & Line Cook

Rib Crib BBQ & Grill, Faraon
07.2008 - 01.2010
  • Salary: $10.00 hr
  • Precooked garnishes such as bacon pieces for later use to top off fresh dishes.
  • Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
  • Adhered to all regulatory standards regarding safe and sanitary food prep.
  • Marinated and pre-cooked pork and beef meats for appetizers and entrees to prepare for meal service.
  • Sliced meats to prepare for cooking and assembly of menu items such as brisket and pulled pork.

Banquet Cook & Dinner Cook

Las Campanas
12.2002 - 05.2007
  • Salary: $13.40 hr Food preparation for dinners and banquets.
  • Private catering.
  • Executed proper techniques when preparing menu item ingredients.
  • Maintained clean and orderly appearance throughout kitchen and dining area.
  • Adhered to all regulatory standards regarding safe and sanitary food prep.
  • Precooked garnishes such as bacon pieces for later use to top off fresh dishes.
  • Prepped vegetables and other ingredients by washing, chopping and dicing.
  • Grilled and deep fried various foods, including meats, potatoes and fish.

Prepared Foods Team Member

Joe‘s Diner
02.2003 - 01.2004
  • Peeled, chopped and sliced produce for use in cold and cooked items.
  • Replenished and organized department supplies throughout each shift.
  • Followed recipes and customer request details to prepare high-quality, delicious meals.
  • Maintained clean and sanitized work area in accordance with food safety guidelines, avoiding cross-contamination of raw and prepared food products.

Catering Staff Member

Santa Fe Airport Grill
01.2000 - 01.2001
  • Salary: $ 10 hr Food preparation for lunches Creation of soup of the day and lunch specials Catering events Cater, American cuisine Supervisors: John and Lisa Salary: $11 hr Catering for special events (movie crews).
  • Prepared large batches of food according to standard recipes.
  • Performed prep work such as washing, peeling, cutting and seeding fruits and vegetables.
  • Prepared food items, following recipes to cut, chop and combine ingredients in correct amounts and with proper technique, cooking to perfection.
  • Carried pans, kettles and trays of food to and from work stations, stove and refrigerator in accordance with safety standards.

Lead Cook

The Inn at Sunrise Springs
01.2000 - 01.2001
  • Salary: $12 hr Food preparation for lunch and dinner Caterings for special events Dinner Sous-Chef.
  • Maintained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
  • Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
  • Washed, sliced, peeled and cut various foods to prepare for cooking or serving.
  • Inventoried kitchen sections and refilled supplies.
  • Stood in for other members of the kitchen staff.
  • Cooked food following specific measurements and recipes.
  • Assisted Sous Chef with training and development of culinary staff.
  • Prepared food in the morning and before services started.
  • Grilled and deep fried various foods, including meats, potatoes and fish.

Dinner Cook

La Plazuela at la Fonda Hotel
01.1999 - 01.2000
  • Modified standard recipes to account for ingredient issues or customer requests, including allergen concerns.
  • Sanitized food preparation areas, grills and equipment to avoid cross-contamination from raw items.

Lead Cook

La Casa Sena
01.1997 - 01.1999

Supervisors: Kelly Rogers, Executive Chef Alvaro Ramirez , Sous-Chef Salary: $10 hr

  • Maintained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
  • Washed, sliced, peeled and cut various foods to prepare for cooking or serving.

  • Stood in for other members of the kitchen staff.
  • Cooked food following specific measurements and recipes.
  • Assisted Sous Chef with training and development of culinary staff.

  • Grilled and deep fried various foods, including meats, potatoes and fish.

Catering Staff Member

Walter Burke Catering
01.1995 - 01.1997
  • Salary: $10.50 hr Food preparation , catering, special events.
  • Prepared large batches of meats and vegetables food according to standard recipes.
  • Performed prep work such as washing, peeling, cutting and seeding fruits and vegetables.
  • Carried pans, kettles and trays of food to and from work stations, stove and refrigerator in accordance with safety standards.

Head Line Cook

SantaCafé
01.1989 - 01.1997
  • Owners: Judith and Robert.
  • Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
  • Restocked all food items throughout shift to guarantee cooks had all necessary ingredients needed for service.
  • Washed and peeled ingredients to prepare for use in different meals and recipes.
  • Created nutritious, safe, visually appealing, innovative and properly prepared and flavored food.

Lead Cook

Blue Heron Restaurant
01.1986 - 01.1989
  • Salary: $12 hr Food preparation Creation of specials.
  • Completed workstation set up and break down, properly disposing of leftover food.
  • Observed and tested food to determine whether food was cooked sufficiently and according to recipes.
  • Grilled and deep fried various foods, including meats, potatoes and fish.
  • Assisted Sous Chef with training and development of culinary staff.
  • Stood in for other members of the kitchen staff.
  • Washed, sliced, peeled and cut various foods to prepare for cooking or serving.
  • Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.

Kitchen Prep Cook

Indigo Lakes Golf Club
01.1985 - 01.1986
  • Adhered to all regulatory standards regarding safe and sanitary food prep.
  • Precooked garnishes such as bacon pieces for later use to top off fresh dishes.
  • Cooked food following specific measurements and recipes.
  • Dressed, seasoned and garnished appetizers and salads to prepare for food service.
  • Operated grills and steamers to prepare vegetables, potatoes, rice and meats.

Prep Cook and Dinner Cook

Japanese Kitchen Steak & Seafood House
01.1984 - 01.1985
  • Maintained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
  • Washed, sliced, peeled and cut various foods to prepare for cooking or serving.

Education

High School diploma -

Santa Fe High School
1984

Skills

  • Food safety understanding
  • Salad preparation
  • Pantry organization
  • Utensil and appliance cleaning
  • Proper storage and preservation
  • Safe food handling
  • Team contribution
  • Organization
  • Planning and coordination
  • Ingredient handling

Certification

  • Safe Quality Food (SQF) Practitioner – Safe Quality Food Institute.
  • Certified Professional - Food Safety (CP-FS) - National Environmental Health Association.
  • Food Handler's Permit/License- County or city public health departments.

Timeline

Kitchen Staff Member

Institute Of American Indian Arts (I.A.I.A)
04.2015 - Current

Head Line Cook

BON APPETIT, Santa Fe University of Art and Design
02.2013 - 05.2015

Prep Cook & Line Cook

Tatsu’s French Restaurant
07.2012 - 01.2013

Line Cook

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
08.2011 - 06.2012

Prep Cook & Line Cook

Rib Crib BBQ & Grill, Faraon
07.2008 - 01.2010

Prepared Foods Team Member

Joe‘s Diner
02.2003 - 01.2004

Lead Cook

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant
01.2003 - 08.2011

Banquet Cook & Dinner Cook

Las Campanas
12.2002 - 05.2007

Catering Staff Member

Santa Fe Airport Grill
01.2000 - 01.2001

Lead Cook

The Inn at Sunrise Springs
01.2000 - 01.2001

Dinner Cook

La Plazuela at la Fonda Hotel
01.1999 - 01.2000

Lead Cook

La Casa Sena
01.1997 - 01.1999

Catering Staff Member

Walter Burke Catering
01.1995 - 01.1997

Head Line Cook

SantaCafé
01.1989 - 01.1997

Lead Cook

Blue Heron Restaurant
01.1986 - 01.1989

Kitchen Prep Cook

Indigo Lakes Golf Club
01.1985 - 01.1986

Prep Cook and Dinner Cook

Japanese Kitchen Steak & Seafood House
01.1984 - 01.1985

High School diploma -

Santa Fe High School
Joseph CantuCook