Kelly Zapata
San Antonio
Summary
Dynamic culinary professional with extensive experience as Head Grill Cook at Whataburger, excelling in food safety compliance and kitchen management. Proven ability to enhance food presentation and mentor team members, fostering a collaborative environment that drives performance and maintains high standards. Committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences through meticulous recipe execution.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
Work History
Head Grill Cook
Whatabuger
04.2025 - 06.2025
- Cooked regular menu items and seasonal offerings according to corporate standards and guidelines.
- Distributed food to team members with efficiency in high-volume environment.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
- Verified order accuracy and quality ahead of service to maintain standards.
- Provided support to crew members, facilitating quick food preparation and delivery.
- Followed recipes and kitchen procedures for consistent food quality, presentation and standards.
- Restocked and rotated food items according to expiry dates to minimize waste.
- Stored and handled goods correctly to maintain freshness and condition.
- Maintained clean, organized grill stations for hygienic, orderly food preparation.
- Established and maintained productive staff relationships for positive working environments.
Manager
Forever 21
09.2024 - 06.2025
- Maintained professional, organized, and safe environment for employees and patrons.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
- Improved safety procedures to create safe working conditions for workers.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Established performance goals for employees and provided feedback on methods for reaching those milestones.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
- Identified and communicated customer needs to supply chain capacity and quality teams.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Set aggressive targets for employees to drive company success and strengthen motivation.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
Education
GED -
Windham School District
Marlin, TXSkills
- Food safety compliance
- Food presentation
- Cooking techniques
- Knife skills
- Temperature control
- Special diets
- Meat preparation
- Menu development
- Sanitation procedures
- Recipe execution
- Kitchen management
- Grill supervision
- Portioning
Accomplishments
- Trained over 10 new kitchen team members.
- Rotated inventory to minimize spoilage and reduce supply expenses.
- Recognized for continuous commitment to cooking.
- Stored food in designated areas and maintained organization.
- Prepared varied menu items in a fast-paced environment.
- Adhered to safe food handling and sanitation standards at all times.
- Resolved product issue through consumer testing.
- Achieved higher sales by completing meals with accuracy and efficiency.
- Collaborated with team of 10 in the development of feed the homeless.
- Documented and resolved several which led to great results.
- Supervised team of 1-10 staff members.
- Achieved teamwork through effectively helping with working as a team.
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Head Grill Cook
Whatabuger
04.2025 - 06.2025
Manager
Forever 21
09.2024 - 06.2025
GED -
Windham School District
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