Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Keshawn Small

Shreveport,LA

Summary

Passionate, spirited and classically trained culinary professional, skilled in building relationships and developing high-performing teams. Leader in delivery of excellent customer service. Equipped to apply restaurant operational experience to grow world-class organizations. Dedicated to food safety, customer service best practices and quality food service. Willing to relocate globally.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

Substitute Teacher

Caddo Parish Schools
Shreveport, LA
03.2023 - Current
  • Delivered effective instruction and guidance to students in the absence of the regular teacher, ensuring a seamless and productive learning environment.
  • Played a pivotal role in classroom management, addressing issues as needed and contributing to a positive and focused atmosphere conducive to learning.
  • Assured accurate and up-to-date records of student performance, attendance, and behavior, providing valuable insights for ongoing student development and educational planning.
  • Facilitated effective communication with the head teacher, collaboratively executing priorities for the school day and contributing to the development and implementation of comprehensive lesson plans.
  • Enforced classroom order and upheld school and class rules, fostering a disciplined and respectful environment that supports both individual and collective learning.
  • Crafted a dynamic and engaging classroom environment tailored to student maturity and interests, promoting an atmosphere conducive to effective learning and student participation.

Cashier Team Lead

Lilah's Bakery
Shreveport, LA
11.2022 - 02.2023
  • Contributed to the efficient operation of the bakery during high-demand periods, Significantly improving new cashier performance and reducing errors through effective training methods in departmental operations and procedures.
  • Enhanced transaction accuracy and reduced customer complaints by utilizing the point-of-sale system effectively, resulting in fewer issues related to incorrect pick-up and shipping orders.
  • Instrumental in packaging and loading numerous large orders daily, including handling orders exceeding 300 king cakes each, for wholesale and fundraising purposes. Contributed to the seamless execution of high-volume order deliveries.
  • Mitigated a challenge when a wholesale customer's order faced delays; demonstrated problem-solving skills by successfully negotiating discounts and exchanges for alternative items, ensuring positive client relations, customer satisfaction, and resolution of the issue.

Cake Decorator

Lilah's Bakery
Shreveport, LA
01.2022 - 03.2022
  • Demonstrated leadership by providing insightful guidance to team members on proper cake decorating techniques, fostering a skilled and cohesive decorating team.
  • Showcased comprehensive expertise in foods, beverages, supervisory duties, service techniques, and guest interactions, contributing to a well-rounded skill set for effective cake decoration and customer service.
  • Managed diverse responsibilities, including answering phone calls, processing orders, and effectively resolving customer disputes or complaints, ensuring a positive and seamless customer experience.
  • Exceeded productivity expectations by assembling, preparing, decorating, and frosting an impressive average of 600 cakes per shift, maintaining a high standard of quality and meeting customer demands efficiently.

Cook III

Premier Catering and Events
Thibodaux, LA
01.2018 - 03.2020
  • Elevated the quality of food preparation by providing strategic guidance to junior cooks, resulting in a noticeable improvement in the overall dining experience.
  • Boosted the table turnover rate by an impressive 15% through effective coordination with wait staff, ensuring timely delivery of meals and enhancing the overall efficiency of service.
  • Demonstrated expertise in operating grills, fryers, and broilers, ensuring consistent and high-quality output in dish preparation, contributing to increased customer satisfaction and positive feedback.
  • Efficiently operated in a high-volume environment, handling 150+ covers per shift, showcasing adaptability and contributing to the overall success of the restaurant during peak hours.
  • Optimized recipe preparation for biscuits, a staple served with the majority of meals, resulting in a notable improvement in taste and customer feedback.

1st Assistant Manager

Its Fashion
Thibodaux, LA
09.2017 - 02.2020
  • Drove customer preference for our location by establishing a reputation for exceptional customer service, resulting in increased foot traffic and loyal clientele.
  • Boosted sales during holiday seasons by conceptualizing and implementing targeted promotions, effectively attracting customers and enhancing revenue during peak periods.
  • Propelled employee morale and performance through effective mentoring and hands-on leadership, contributing to a positive work environment and increased team productivity.
  • Contributed to increased sales by actively participating in social media marketing initiatives, leveraging online platforms to engage customers and drive traffic to the store.
  • Successfully reduced shrink by implementing effective loss prevention measures, resulting in improved inventory control and safeguarding the store's financial resources.

Cook II

Superior's Steakhouse
Shreveport, LA
02.2019 - 08.2019
  • Retained consistent high-quality food preparation, strictly adhering to recipes, portioning guidelines, and waste control measures, contributing to the overall excellence of dishes served.
  • Showcased proficient knife skills, including precision in dicing onions and slicing meats, enhancing the efficiency and speed of food preparation.
  • Prioritized the safety of both employees and customers by meticulously following health and safety standards, fostering a secure working environment in compliance with regulations.
  • Facilitated smooth kitchen operations by maintaining effective communication with staff members, particularly regarding orders and menu changes, resulting in streamlined processes and timely service.

Cook II

Ocean Reef Club
Key Largo, FL
06.2018 - 01.2019
  • Showcased leadership by spearheading improvements to work processes, contributing to enhanced efficiency and productivity, and actively participated in training initiatives for team members.
  • Ensured a sanitary and safe kitchen environment by conducting daily inspections and maintaining meticulous food sanitation and kitchen equipment safety reports, contributing to a consistently high standard of cleanliness and compliance.
  • Maximized kitchen efficiency by proficiently setting up and executing initial prep work for soups, sauces, and salads, laying the foundation for timely and high-quality meal preparation.
  • Thrived in a fast-paced environment, collaborating seamlessly with teammates to prepare dishes, resulting in a maintained high customer satisfaction rate during peak service periods serving over 400+ covers nightly.

Line Cook Intern

THE TUXEDO CLUB
Tuxedo Park, NY
05.2017 - 08.2017
  • Maintained compliance with health regulations by ensuring proper storage of all food items, contributing to a consistently safe and sanitary kitchen environment.
  • Demonstrated precision in plating entrees and adhered to strict food portion control, enhancing the visual appeal and consistency of each dish served.
  • Successfully executed the preparation of food items for buffets and banquets, following established guidelines, ensuring seamless and high-quality catering services.
  • Enhanced kitchen safety by safely operating ovens, fryers, and grills, preventing injuries and accidents, and contributing to a secure working environment.

Education

MBA - Entrepreneurial Studies

University of Louisiana At Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
01.2025

Bachelor's - Culinary arts

Nicholls State University
05.2018

Skills

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office
  • Results-Focused
  • Attention to Detail
  • Time Management
  • Reliable and Responsible
  • Catering Services
  • Calm and Pleasant Demeanor
  • Professional and Courteous
  • Strategic Planning
  • Sales and Marketing

Timeline

Substitute Teacher

Caddo Parish Schools
03.2023 - Current

Cashier Team Lead

Lilah's Bakery
11.2022 - 02.2023

Cake Decorator

Lilah's Bakery
01.2022 - 03.2022

Cook II

Superior's Steakhouse
02.2019 - 08.2019

Cook II

Ocean Reef Club
06.2018 - 01.2019

Cook III

Premier Catering and Events
01.2018 - 03.2020

1st Assistant Manager

Its Fashion
09.2017 - 02.2020

Line Cook Intern

THE TUXEDO CLUB
05.2017 - 08.2017

MBA - Entrepreneurial Studies

University of Louisiana At Lafayette

Bachelor's - Culinary arts

Nicholls State University

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Keshawn Small