Karlene Behringer
Fort Lauderdale,FL
Summary
Adept at culinary presentation and client communication, I significantly enhanced event satisfaction across various states, working for notable clients like the Loftin Family, the Shoner Family, the Maxwell Family, the Case Family, the Hill Family, the Craft Family and the McCormick Family. Leveraging skills in dietary accommodations and cost management, I consistently delivered personalized, high-quality catering and personal chef services, leading to repeat business and positive feedback from diverse clientele.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Wedding and Special Events Caterer
Multiple Families in Idaho, New Jersey and Florida
10.2007 - 10.2024
- Prepared a wide variety of dishes to meet diverse customer preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Improved event satisfaction by providing timely and attentive service to guests.
- Managed inventory and supplies for smooth and efficient catering operations.
- Enhanced client relationships, maintaining open communication and delivering on specific requests.
- Coordinated with event planners to ensure seamless execution of catering services.
- Delivered high-quality meals, adhering to food safety and sanitation standards.
- Organized kitchen workflow to optimize preparation and serving efficiency.
- Collaborated with staff to execute events successfully, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Boosted repeat business with exceptional service and attention to detail.
- Streamlined food preparation processes to increase speed and quality of service.
- Enhanced presentation of dishes, elevating visual appeal and customer experience.
- Supported large-scale events by efficiently managing multiple catering tasks simultaneously.
- Ensured equipment and tools were properly maintained for reliable operation.
- Handled client inquiries and feedback to improve services and address concerns.
- Reduced waste by implementing efficient portion control and inventory management.
- Assisted in setting up and breaking down event spaces to ensure timely execution.
- Coordinated logistics of food transportation to guarantee freshness and quality.
- Provided friendly, courteous service to create memorable moments for guests.
- Prepared specialty dishes to cater to unique customer requests and enhance event offerings.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by providing personalized catering services tailored to individual preferences and dietary requirements.
- Presented food and beverages on buffet tables and drink stations in line with formality and specifications of each event.
- Communicated with event coordinators and facility management to obtain appropriate catering accommodations.
- Cleaned and organized kitchen stations to promote team efficiency.
- Served catering guests by fulfilling orders, communicating requests to kitchen staff and routinely inquiring about customer satisfaction.
- Managed food inventory and supplies, reducing waste and maintaining optimal stock levels for diverse events.
- Delivered outstanding customer service throughout the entire event planning process, resulting in repeat business from satisfied clients.
- Replenished banquet stations and verified food temperatures and cleanliness of service areas.
- Collaborated with event planners, venues, and vendors to ensure seamless integration of catering services into overall event design.
- Implemented strict food safety standards, maintaining a clean and sanitary work environment at all times.
- Transported meal and beverage trays from kitchen and bar areas to serve guest tables.
- Coordinated logistical aspects of event setup and breakdown, minimizing disruptions to clients'' schedules.
- Streamlined event preparation process for increased efficiency, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality catering services.
- Set up and disassembled food service stations, equipment and furniture per contract specifications.
- Offered vegetarian versions of frequently ordered entrees to appeal to health conscious customers.
- Leveraged strong interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with diverse clientele regarding their unique needs and expectations.
- Observed federal and local kitchen safety regulations to prevent food borne illnesses.
- Collaborated with clients to plan event venues, menus and budgets.
- Developed innovative menu offerings that consistently received positive feedback from clients and guests.
- Researched menu options for customers with food allergies or special dietary preferences to accommodate varied dietary needs.
- Sourced food ingredients from local markets and food suppliers to acquire items needed for food preparation.
- Tested recipes before inclusion in catering menu to verify accuracy of ingredients and preparation methods.
- Maintained meticulous records of client preferences and feedback, using insights to refine services.
- Adapted quickly to unexpected changes during events, maintaining high service standards.
Personal Chef and Caterer
Norm and Debbie Loftin
10.2006 - 10.2024
- Planned menus that incorporated healthy, fresh food sourced from local farmers and stores.
- Prepared and served meals for small dinner parties and large events and complied with diet requests and special accommodations.
- Labeled food to include reheating and safe storage and handling instructions.
- Developed menus, controlled food costs and oversaw quality, sanitation, and safety processes.
- Designed and prepared all menu items for private home/office setting.
- Reduced food waste through effective menu planning, sourcing local ingredients, and utilizing seasonal produce.
- Demonstrated flexibility in accommodating last-minute changes to menus or guest numbers while still delivering high-quality results.
- Conducted comprehensive nutritional analyses of dishes to accommodate clients'' specific health goals or dietary restrictions.
- Shopped at specialty grocery stores to obtain ingredients needed for food preparation.
Skills
- Food preparation
- Culinary presentation
- Dietary accommodations
- Portion control
- Buffet setup
- Cost management
- Client communication
- Venue setup
- Health regulations
- Quality assurance
- Time management
- Inventory management
- Food safety
- Budget planning
- Recipe development
Certification
- Florida ServSafe Food Handler Certificate
Languages
English
Full Professional
Interests
- Cooking
- Sharing travel tips, recommendations, and insights with fellow enthusiasts
- I enjoy helping others and giving back to the community
- Participating in local clean-up initiatives
- Gardening
- Exploring famous landmarks, historical sites, and cultural attractions in a new destination
- Growing herbs, vegetables, or fruits in home gardens
- Avid Reader
- Enjoying the art of baking and pastry-making, experimenting with recipes
- Crafting and DIY Projects
- Swimming
- Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
Timeline
Wedding and Special Events Caterer
Multiple Families in Idaho, New Jersey and Florida
10.2007 - 10.2024
Personal Chef and Caterer
Norm and Debbie Loftin
10.2006 - 10.2024
- Florida ServSafe Food Handler Certificate
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