Lara Walton
Wheeling,WV
Summary
High-performing individual with solid background of 15 yrs in the Food Industry. Skilled in creating innovative and delicious dishes while managing kitchen staff and inventory. Known for reliability and adaptability, with a willingness to learn new skills for career growth.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Garden Bistro- Sous Chef
Oglebay Park/ Wheeling Park Commission
08.2021 - 11.2025
- Assisted with Administrative duties such as Scheduling, Payroll, HR documents, Requisitions, and culinary team's PTO requests.
- Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure while maintaining consistency.
- Supervise/coordinate food prep lists based on daily Par levels.
- Menu plan based on seasonal availability; developing recipes, plate presentation, & execution.
- Clean, cut, & portion Meats/ Seafood.
- Assist the Executive Chef and culinary team with day to day culinary operations.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
Garden Bistro - Cook 2 to Cook 1/Supervisor
Oglebay Park/ Wheeling Park Commission
05.2016 - 10.2020
- Monitor food preparation methods, portion sizes, and presentation of food to ensure that food is prepared and presented in an acceptable manner.
- Determine production lists and staff schedules necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.
- Plan menus on a seasonal basis; utilizing garden produce for menu items & specials.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
Glassworks- Cook 2
Oglebay Park/ Wheeling Park Commission
12.2012 - 05.2016
- Cook food orders in a mannerly time.
- Restock, rotate food, and stamp the time and date on food in coolers.
- Clean food preparation equipment & work areas.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
Internship
Oglebay Park/ Wheeling Park Commission
04.2011 - 12.2012
- Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature.
- Maintain food quality & FIFO
- Sanitization & proper food storage.
- Fulfilling daily tasks assigned by my chef in a timely manner.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
Education
Associates - Applied food science Culinary Arts
West Virginia Northern Community College
Wheeling05.2011
High School Diploma - undefined
John Marshall High School
Wheeling, WV06.2008
Skills
- Organization and planning
- Meat & Seafood Fabrication
- Creative plate presentation
- Positive and professional
- Verbal and written communication
- Ordering and requisitions
- Kitchen management/staff training
- Recipe & Menu development
- Knife skills
- Willingness to learn
- Artistic skills on Drawing, Painting, Carving
- Banquet experience
Certification
- Management Training -Global Mind Training
- ServeSafe
Timeline
Garden Bistro- Sous Chef
Oglebay Park/ Wheeling Park Commission
08.2021 - 11.2025
Garden Bistro - Cook 2 to Cook 1/Supervisor
Oglebay Park/ Wheeling Park Commission
05.2016 - 10.2020
Glassworks- Cook 2
Oglebay Park/ Wheeling Park Commission
12.2012 - 05.2016
Internship
Oglebay Park/ Wheeling Park Commission
04.2011 - 12.2012
High School Diploma - undefined
John Marshall High School
Associates - Applied food science Culinary Arts
West Virginia Northern Community College