- Enjoying the art of baking and pastry-making, experimenting with recipes
- Outdoor Recreation
- Cooking
- Baking
- I like trying new recipes and food trends
- Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
- I enjoy cooking for friends and family gatherings
- Sharing recipes, cooking tips, and culinary experiences through blogs and social media platforms
- Enjoy experimenting with different ingredients and flavors in the kitchen
Karla Vanderbush
Sheldon,IA
Summary
Detail-oriented culinary professional with a history of maintaining food quality and safety standards. Known for implementing effective training programs and optimizing kitchen workflows to ensure exceptional service and compliance.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head Cook
Fieldcrest Assistant Living
Sheldon, IA
2018 - Current
- Supervised kitchen staff to ensure adherence to food safety and sanitation standards.
- Developed weekly menus in alignment with dietary restrictions and resident preferences.
- Trained new cooks on culinary techniques and kitchen equipment operation.
- Streamlined food prep processes, enhancing efficiency and reducing waste.
- Maintained inventory levels, ensuring availability of essential supplies for daily operations.
- Conducted regular quality checks on meals before service to uphold presentation standards.
- Collaborated with suppliers to source high-quality ingredients for meal preparation.
- Implemented feedback systems to improve resident satisfaction with meal offerings.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Maintained high standards of cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen, meeting or exceeding health department requirements.
Culinary Manager
Fieldcrest Assisted Living
Sheldon, IA
2023 - 2025
- Developed and implemented seasonal menus based on resident preferences and dietary requirements.
- Managed inventory, ensuring timely ordering and minimizing food waste through efficient stock rotation.
- Trained and mentored culinary staff on food safety protocols and kitchen best practices.
- Oversaw daily kitchen operations, maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organization.
- Collaborated with healthcare team to accommodate specialized diets for residents with medical needs.
- Streamlined food preparation processes to enhance efficiency while delivering quality meals.
- Conducted regular assessments of kitchen equipment, coordinating repairs to maintain operational readiness.
- Fostered positive relationships with vendors to secure quality ingredients at competitive prices.
- Implemented detailed recipe documentation procedures, ensuring consistency in taste and presentation across all dishes served.
Head Cook
Sandford Medical Center
Sheldon, IA
2007 - 2018
- Inspected freezer and refrigerator daily to check and maintain proper temperatures.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Efficiently handled high-volume service periods without sacrificing quality or consistency in food preparation.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Managed kitchen staff, ensuring proper training and adherence to safety protocols for a safe working environment.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Monitored food preparation processes to maintain consistent taste, texture, and presentation of dishes.
Assistant Manager
Leekers Family Foods Deli
Valley Center, KS
2004 - 2007
- Assisted in managing daily operations and staff schedules to ensure efficient workflow.
- Trained new employees on customer service standards and product knowledge.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance food safety practices and meet health regulations.
- Monitored inventory levels, ensuring timely restocking of products to meet customer demand.
- Implemented promotional strategies to increase customer engagement and sales volume.
- Addressed customer inquiries and resolved issues to maintain high satisfaction levels.
- Cooked a variety of foods from breakfast, broasted items such as chicken, livers, gizzards, hearts, potatoes. Prepared several hot and cold dishes such as salads, and deserts.
- Supervised day-to-day operations to meet performance, quality and service expectations.
- Maintained a clean, safe, and organized store environment to enhance the customer experience.
- Developed training materials for staff development focused on operational excellence and efficiency.
- Conducted regular quality checks on food preparation and presentation standards.
Stay at Home Parent
Home
Valley Center, KS
1989 - 2004
- Managed daily schedules, ensuring timely completion of activities and responsibilities.
- Developed educational play routines to foster learning and creativity in children.
- Coordinated meal planning and preparation, promoting healthy eating habits for family members.
- Implemented effective discipline strategies, encouraging positive behavior and emotional growth.
- Organized household tasks, maintaining cleanliness and order in living spaces.
- Provided support during homework sessions, enhancing children's academic performance and confidence.
Education
High School Diploma -
Sheldon Community High School
Sheldon, IA05-1998
Skills
- Food preparation
- Verbal and written communication
- Food storage
- Meal preparation
- Recipe development
- Food safety
- Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
- Food spoilage prevention
- Garnishing techniques
- Cleaning and sanitation
Accomplishments
Proficient in minimal food waste.
Enjoy making all varieties of foods and deserts
Affiliations
Head of Culinary Club where once a month I spend time with around 20 residents where I coach and mentor them how to make easy snacks.
Certification
- Certified ServSafe 2028
Interests
Timeline
Head Cook
Fieldcrest Assistant Living
2018 - Current
Culinary Manager
Fieldcrest Assisted Living
2023 - 2025
Head Cook
Sandford Medical Center
2007 - 2018
Assistant Manager
Leekers Family Foods Deli
2004 - 2007
Stay at Home Parent
Home
1989 - 2004
High School Diploma -
Sheldon Community High School