Kelly Self
Dallas,TX
Summary
Resourceful culinary professional skilled in sourcing local ingredients to develop innovative farm-to-table menus that cater to diverse dietary needs. Proven ability to thrive in high-pressure environments while enhancing organizational branding. Strong organizational skills and creativity streamline kitchen operations and improve mealtime satisfaction.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Private Chef
Southern Angels LLC
New York, New York
09.2022 - Current
- Developed customized menus based on client preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Sourced high-quality ingredients from local markets and specialty suppliers.
- Prepared gourmet meals using various cooking techniques and cuisines.
- Managed kitchen operations, ensuring cleanliness and organization at all times.
- Designed and executed event catering for private gatherings and celebrations.
- Collaborated with clients to plan meals for special occasions or dietary needs.
- Planned and organized special events and dinner parties, focusing on menu design and presentation.
- Designed creative dishes to showcase culinary talents.
- Ensured compliance with all local health department regulations regarding food handling procedures.
- Sourced gluten-free, nut-free, and dairy-free ingredients from local suppliers.
- Monitored meals served for temperature and visual appeal.
- Planned and prepared meals for private clients according to dietary requirements and preferences.
- Adhered to health codes when preparing meals for clients, ensuring proper storage and sanitation practices were followed.
- Created cost-effective recipes aligned with client needs and budget constraints.
- Established relationships with vendors to obtain competitive pricing on supplies needed for operations.
- Utilized local, fresh food products to support local economies and showcase community support.
- Developed new menu items, managed food expenses, and ensured quality standards were met.
Chef Instructor
Kitchen Social
Dallas, TX
03.2025 - 07.2026
- Instructed on knife skills, food safety, and sanitation practices to enhance culinary competency.
- Coordinated cooking classes tailored for individuals with special dietary requirements to promote inclusive cooking experiences.
- Facilitated cooking classes focusing on basic kitchen skills and the significance of a balanced diet for healthier meal preparation.
Chef Instructor
My French Recipe
Plano, TX
03.2025 - 06.2026
- Monitored food preparation methods, portion sizes, and garnishing to ensure adherence to restaurant recipes and presentation standards, enhancing overall dish quality.
- Maintained knowledge of current culinary trends and health and safety regulations to ensure compliance and relevance in instructional content.
- Coordinate class set-up and breakdown, including ingredient prep, station organization, and sanitization
- Coordinated class set-up and breakdown, including ingredient prep and station organization, to facilitate smooth and efficient culinary instruction.
- Kept up to date with current culinary trends, as well as health and safety regulations.
- Monitored food preparation methods, portion sizes and garnishing of dishes to ensure that food was prepared in accordance with the restaurant's recipes and presentation standards.
Personal Chef
Dinner Elf
Dallas, Texas
10.2025 - 02.2026
- Created menus for clients that comprised fresh, locally grown food for farm-to-table dinner entrees.
- Planned customized menus based on client preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Prepared and cooked meals using fresh, high-quality ingredients daily.
- Developed farm-to-table menus featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients tailored to client preferences.
- Organized kitchen workspace for efficient food preparation and service.
- Managed grocery shopping for recipe ingredients, ensuring quality and freshness aligned with menu plans.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and safety standards throughout food preparation.
- Provided nutrition education and meal preparation guidance to enhance client cooking skills and dietary choices.
- Educated clients on nutrition and meal preparation techniques during sessions.
Personal Chef
The Polished Chef
Dallas, TX
02.2025 - 11.2025
- Developed creative menus for clients based on their dietary needs and preferences.
- Prepared and cooked meals for large family events such as holiday dinners, birthdays, anniversaries.
- Designed detailed invoices for clients outlining service costs and any additional charges.
- Crafted meals in clients' home kitchens in accordance with food health and safety regulations.
- Ensured all food items were stored safely at correct temperatures according to health regulations.
- Tracked records of all meals prepared, including menu items, quantities served, and special client instructions.
- Coordinated grocery shopping trips to acquire necessary ingredients for meal preparation. to purchase ingredients needed to prepare meals.
- Engaged with clients to evaluate meal satisfaction and implement necessary adjustments.
- Communicated with clients to assess satisfaction with meals and make adjustments.
Kid's Chef Instructor
CookLearnGrow
Dallas, TX
02.2025 - 07.2025
- Coordinated hands-on cooking classes, providing students practical experience in food preparation.
- Demonstrated proper techniques for preparing a variety of dishes from appetizers to desserts.
- Gave constructive feedback to students to improve learning and progress against course objectives.
- Provided constructive feedback to students, enhancing learning and ensuring progress toward course objectives.
Culinary Kids Assistant Instructor
The Hudson Table
Hoboken, NJ
05.2024 - 01.2025
- Assisted Instructors in planning, organizing and delivering lessons to students.
- Provided guidance and support to students to help them understand course materials.
- Monitored student progress, providing tailored feedback to enhance understanding and engagement.
- Assisted in course planning and developed educational tools, streamlining classroom organization.
- Organized performance and enrichment activities, enhancing student learning experiences.
Personal Event Chef
DineDK
New York, NY
10.2023 - 12.2024
- Enhanced guest satisfaction by creating custom menus tailored to specific event themes and client preferences.
- Met with clients from diverse backgrounds to assess needs, designing unique garnishes, table settings, and plate displays aligned with each group's theme.
- Conceptualized menus to account for dietary restrictions, food allergies and personal requests.
- Cooked for large groups of people and managed various types of food for large events.
- Created catering menus that aligned with client expectations while adhering to tight budgets.
Junior Sous Chef
US Open Red Hook Losbter Pound
New York, NY
08.2024 - 09.2024
- Trained and supervised junior cooks in proper culinary techniques.
- Trained and supervised junior cooks in culinary techniques to enhance kitchen efficiency.
- Monitored food temperatures during storage, preparation and service to meet safety standards.
- Checked quality of raw materials to uphold high standards of product presentation.
- Prepared sauces, dressings, soups, stocks, and marinades throughout the day.
- Performed as head chef to maintain team productivity and restaurant quality.
- Maximized customer satisfaction and team operations by executing command-based structure and staff performance oversight.
- Liaised with kitchen and front-of-house personnel to ensure seamless service.
Event Chef
Brooklyn Braised
Brooklyn, NY
05.2024 - 09.2024
- Developed and implemented innovative menus for special events, ensuring that all dishes were prepared according to health and safety regulations.
- Supervised team of cooks in preparing food items, ensuring timely delivery for large-scale events.
- Coordinated food service stations and venue accommodations, including setup, and tear-down of furniture and equipment per customer guidelines.
- Established kitchen systems and procedures to enhance operational efficiency during events.
- Modified recipes to accommodate guests with allergies or dietary restrictions.
- Maintained cleanliness of work areas throughout shifts to ensure a safe environment. throughout shift including counters, floors, utensils and other surfaces.
- Increased customer satisfaction by promptly addressing and resolving food and service complaints.
- Assisted with setup and breakdown of buffet lines before and after each event.
- Checked quality of food products to meet high standards.
- Oversaw inventory and ordered ingredients to restock freezers, fridges and pantry.
- Chopped and diced vegetables and fruits to stock fridge ahead of busy periods.
Personal Chef
Compozure
New York, NY
03.2024 - 09.2024
- Developed creative menus for clients based on their dietary needs and preferences.
- Prepared and cooked meals for large family events, ensuring timely service and satisfaction.
- Coordinated grocery shopping to source fresh ingredients for meal preparations.
- Cleaned kitchen area thoroughly after meal preparation sessions to maintain hygiene standards. after every meal preparation session.
- Ensured all food items were stored safely at correct temperatures according to health regulations.
- Planned weekly menus that balanced diverse flavors and textures while adhering to budget constraints.
- Cleaned kitchen area after every meal preparation session.
Chef
Foodtemps
New York
06.2023 - 07.2024
- Monitored food preparation methods, portion sizes and garnishing of dishes to ensure that food was prepared in accordance with the restaurant's recipes and presentation standards.
- Ordered supplies to maintain stock levels and prevent shortages.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
- Collaborated with staff to design and execute menu for large banquets.
- Collaborated with staff members to create meals for large banquets.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Monitored food preparation methods and portion sizes to ensure adherence to recipes and presentation standards.
Line Chef
Jojo Restaurant
160 E 64th St New York,NY
12.2022 - 02.2024
- Executed detailed recipes to ensure consistent food quality. and food presentation standards at [JoJo].
- Prepared fried items and grilled meats to meet menu specifications.
- Restocked food items throughout shift, ensuring head chef had necessary ingredients for timely dish preparation.
- Restocked food items throughout shift to provide head chef with proper ingredients for dishes.
- Complied with sanitation and nutrition regulations and safety standards.
- Participated in rotation through various prep stations to gain diverse skills. all prep stations to learn different techniques.
Event Chef
Alexandra Dettori Catering
New York, NY
09.2023 - 10.2023
- Conducted food tastings and taste tests to ensure quality and flavor satisfaction.
- Implemented sustainable practices in the kitchen, minimizing environmental impact through recycling initiatives and local sourcing of ingredients whenever possible.
- Evaluated food products to verify freshness and quality.
- Implemented sustainable practices in the kitchen, minimizing environmental impact through recycling initiatives and local sourcing of ingredients.
- Cooked for large groups of people and managed various types of food for large events.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve goals in fast-paced environments.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
Personal Chef
Catering Services
New York, NY
08.2023 - 08.2023
- Developed menus, controlled food costs, and ensured quality, sanitation, and safety compliance.
- Prepared and delivered three daily meals to residences, accommodating individual preferences and dietary needs.
- Prepared and cooked three nutritious meals daily for residents. and served at residences or delivered to requested locations.
- Sourced healthy cooking techniques to capture flavor and nutrients of food with fresh ingredients.
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
- Consulted with clients to tailor meal plans based on preferences, dietary restrictions, and food allergies.
Line Cook
Mercer Hotel
New York, NY
09.2021 - 12.2022
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods, achieving high accuracy and enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Set up and organized cooking supplies and workstations for opening and closing, ensuring smooth operations.
- Created identical dishes daily with consistent care and attention to detail, maintaining high quality standards.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
Suite Greeter
Bulldog Suites
Starkville, MS
08.2018 - 03.2020
- Displayed friendly, outgoing and energetic behavior to create warm, fun a warm, fun atmosphere for guests.
- Answered customer questions and pointed individuals in the right directions.
- Displayed friendly, outgoing and energetic behavior to create warm, fun atmosphere for guests.
- Addressed customer complaints to resolve issues and improve satisfaction. and notified managers.
- Answered customer questions and pointed individuals in right directions.
- Took information about guests' party size, led to seating, offered menus and gave set instructions to place guest in their correct seating area.
- Greeted customers with a smile and provided friendly, knowledgeable service.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Culinary Arts
Institute of Culinary Education
New York, NYAssociate of Arts - Business Administration And Management
East Mississippi Community College
Mayhew,MSSkills
- Special Events and Catering
- Menu development
- Recipe development
- Recipe creation
- Quality control
- Quality Assurance Controls
- Team Leadership
- Team management
- Organization and Prioritization
- Detail-oriented
- Critical Thinking
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Personal Chef
Dinner Elf
10.2025 - 02.2026
Chef Instructor
Kitchen Social
03.2025 - 07.2026
Chef Instructor
My French Recipe
03.2025 - 06.2026
Personal Chef
The Polished Chef
02.2025 - 11.2025
Kid's Chef Instructor
CookLearnGrow
02.2025 - 07.2025
Junior Sous Chef
US Open Red Hook Losbter Pound
08.2024 - 09.2024
Culinary Kids Assistant Instructor
The Hudson Table
05.2024 - 01.2025
Event Chef
Brooklyn Braised
05.2024 - 09.2024
Personal Chef
Compozure
03.2024 - 09.2024
Personal Event Chef
DineDK
10.2023 - 12.2024
Event Chef
Alexandra Dettori Catering
09.2023 - 10.2023
Personal Chef
Catering Services
08.2023 - 08.2023
Chef
Foodtemps
06.2023 - 07.2024
Line Chef
Jojo Restaurant
12.2022 - 02.2024
Private Chef
Southern Angels LLC
09.2022 - Current
Line Cook
Mercer Hotel
09.2021 - 12.2022
Suite Greeter
Bulldog Suites
08.2018 - 03.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Culinary Arts
Institute of Culinary Education
Associate of Arts - Business Administration And Management
East Mississippi Community College