Justin Copeland
Wilmington,North Carolina
Summary
Food service professional with extensive experience in kitchen management and culinary operations. Known for maintaining high standards of cleanliness and food safety while fostering collaborative team environment. Reliable and adaptable, with strong skills in leadership and problem-solving.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Kitchen Manager
Fork N Cork
Wilmington, NC
08.2023 - 11.2024
- 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.
- 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.
- Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with attentiveness to dietary restrictions and allergen concerns in menu offerings.
Kitchen Manager
First Watch
3534 Oleander Drive
08.2022 - 08.2023
- 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.
- Achieved rapid ticket times during peak service hours by effectively managing workflow distribution across various stations.
Sous Chef
Stoked
Canal Drive, Carolina Beach Nc
06.2021 - 07.2022
- 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.
- Assisted the Head Chef with the planning and execution of wine dinners.
Kitchen Manager
Fork N Cork
Wilmington, NC
05.2016 - 06.2021
- 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.
Education
High School Diploma -
Clay Battelle Highschool
Blacksville, WV05-2006
Skills
- Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
- Cleaning and sanitation
- Food production management
- Recipes and menu planning
- Food plating and presentation
- Purchasing
- Scheduling
- Food Preparation
- Vendor Relations
- Multitasking Abilities
- Nutritional knowledge
Timeline
Kitchen Manager
Fork N Cork
08.2023 - 11.2024
Kitchen Manager
First Watch
08.2022 - 08.2023
Sous Chef
Stoked
06.2021 - 07.2022
Kitchen Manager
Fork N Cork
05.2016 - 06.2021
High School Diploma -
Clay Battelle Highschool