Lamont Cogg
Vicksburg,MS
Summary
Proven leader and Head Chef at The Vicksburg Bistro, adept in kitchen management and team leadership. Enhanced product quality at Laclede Chain Manufacturing by implementing rigorous QA standards, boosting efficiency. Skilled in food safety and fostering strong relationships, consistently driving positive outcomes and exceeding employer expectations without exceeding a 55-word limit.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head Chef
The Vicksburg Bistro
01.2024 - Current
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Managed food costs effectively with careful menu planning, accurate portion control, and utilization of seasonal ingredients.
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
- Developed strong vendor relationships to secure fresh, quality ingredients at competitive prices while supporting local businesses whenever possible.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Created recipes and prepared advanced dishes.
- Maintained strict adherence to health department regulations by enforcing proper food handling practices throughout the kitchen area.
Lead Quality Assurance Specialist
Laclede Chain Manufacturing Company LLC
02.2018 - 08.2024
- Enhanced product quality by implementing rigorous testing procedures and standards.
- Contributed to the creation of detailed technical specifications that guided developers in building high-quality products.
- Streamlined QA processes, resulting in increased efficiency and reduced time-to-market for products.
- Ensured compliance with industry regulations through comprehensive audits and evaluations of QA systems.
- Documented testing procedures for developers and future testing use.
- Kept scripts and test cases updated with current requirements.
- Completed in-depth usability testing on Windows, Android and iOS mobile devices.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for QA team members, setting clear expectations and goals for professional development.
- Conducted risk assessments to proactively address potential issues before they impacted product quality or deadlines.
Certified Trainer & Coach
McCallisters Deli
06.2015 - 01.2018
- Stayed current with industry trends and best practices, ensuring relevance of course content for participants.
- Coordinated logistics for both onsite and remote training sessions, ensuring seamless execution of events.
- Streamlined onboarding processes for new hires, reducing time-to-full productivity.
- Collaborated with management to identify skill gaps and develop targeted training initiatives.
- Boosted trainee confidence and skills with thorough feedback and ongoing support.
General Manager
Garfield's Restaurant and Pub
07.2009 - 03.2015
- Managed budget implementations, employee reviews, training, schedules, and contract negotiations.
- Managed a diverse team of professionals, fostering a positive work environment and high employee satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and profitability.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty.
- Addressed customer complaints and feedback with immediate action, turning dissatisfied customers into loyal patrons.
- Scheduled employees for shifts, taking into account customer traffic and employee strengths.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Interacted well with customers to build connections and nurture relationships.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Pre-Law
Alcorn State
Lorman, MS06.2017
Bachelor's Degree - Pre-Law
Hinds Jr. College
Utica, MS05.1995
Diploma - Pre-College Courses
Vicksburg High School
Vicksburg, MS05.1992
Skills
- Food Safety
- Kitchen Management
- Team Management
- Food Handler Certification
- Relationship Building
- Quality Assurance
- Hiring, Training, and Development
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Quality Control
- Leadership Qualities
- Staff Supervision and Coordination
Certification
Servsafe certified, ISO certified
Timeline
Head Chef
The Vicksburg Bistro
01.2024 - Current
Lead Quality Assurance Specialist
Laclede Chain Manufacturing Company LLC
02.2018 - 08.2024
Certified Trainer & Coach
McCallisters Deli
06.2015 - 01.2018
General Manager
Garfield's Restaurant and Pub
07.2009 - 03.2015
Bachelor's Degree - Pre-Law
Alcorn State
Bachelor's Degree - Pre-Law
Hinds Jr. College
Diploma - Pre-College Courses
Vicksburg High School
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