Larry Tatum
Mahomet,IL
Summary
Dynamic General Manager with a proven track record at Harvest Market, excelling in budgeting and cost control while enhancing customer satisfaction. Skilled in regulatory compliance and employee development, I successfully improved operational efficiency and fostered a collaborative team environment, ensuring high standards in food safety and service excellence.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
General Manager
Harvest Market
Champaign, Illinois
01.2025 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations to ensure smooth store functionality.
- Managed staff recruitment, training, and performance evaluations.
- Maintained inventory levels and coordinated supply chain logistics.
- Established customer service standards to improve shopper satisfaction.
- Managed all aspects of daily business operations including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service and sales.
- Ensured compliance with local health department regulations regarding food safety standards.
Sous Chef
Quest Foods Services
Lombard, Illinois
03.2024 - 01.2025
- Led kitchen staff in daily meal preparation and service efficiency.
- Coordinated inventory management to ensure freshness and quality of ingredients.
- Monitored inventory levels to ensure adequate supplies on hand.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen equipment and workstations.
- Created a positive work environment by encouraging teamwork among staff members.
- Complied with all health department regulations regarding proper food handling methods.
- Coordinated ordering, receiving, storage, and distribution of food items.
Sous Chef
Harvest Market
Champaign, Illinois
07.2022 - 03.2023
- Developed new recipes that enhanced menu offerings and customer satisfaction.
- Assisted in menu planning based on seasonal availability and trends.
Party Chef
Arthur's Catering
Altamonte Springs, FL
12.2021 - 03.2023
- Executed customized menus for wedding, corporate luncheons, and private businesses
- Offered support to other stations during high-volume shifts to maintain optimal coverage and meet customer needs.
- Executed proper techniques when preparing menu item ingredients.
Manager & Sous Chef
JetBlue Lodge
Orlando, FL
12.2014 - 10.2021
- Coach and counsel staff members
- Handle payroll, schedule, and conduct performance reviews for the Food & Beverage department
- Develop menus, order and receive inventory, create department schedules.
Owner & Executive Chef
Mise en Place
Orlando, FL
05.2013 - 11.2014
- Owned and Operated the Mise en Place food truck and catering business
- Provided breakfast and lunch service to local businesses.
Executive Chef
Stonewood Grill & Tavern
Casselberry, FL
09.2011 - 05.2013
- Prepared food for the day, opened the restaurant, and coached and counseled staff members
- Handled payroll, scheduled, and conducted performance reviews for the Food & Beverage department
- Developed menus, ordered and received inventory, created department schedules.
Kitchen Manager
Hurricane Grill & Wings
Longwood, FL
03.2010 - 08.2011
- Handled food preparation, sanitation, and cooking of menu items.
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Harmoni Market
Longwood, FL
11.2008 - 12.2009
- Opened the restaurant, prepped food items, cooked meu items, and trained staff
- Trained staff and I was responsible for opening the restaurant, setting the stage for all prep work, training,
- HACCP, and sanitation
- I was responsible for sales and preparing prepared meals for the retail market.
Skills
- Budgeting and cost control
- Verbal and written communication
- Regulatory compliance
- Food preparation techniques
- Banquets and catering
- Purchasing
- Food safety compliance
- Problem solving
- Vendor partnerships
- Employee scheduling
- Sales planning and implementation
- Employee development
- Inventory control
Accomplishments
• 2015 Come and Get It
Award, community service
and giving back to the
neighborhood
•6 Million in sales for
Orlando Ale House
•Top graduate for Darden
Restaurants’ Management
Assessment course in its
history
• CERTIFICATIONS:
HACCP, OSHA
Award, community service
and giving back to the
neighborhood
•6 Million in sales for
Orlando Ale House
•Top graduate for Darden
Restaurants’ Management
Assessment course in its
history
• CERTIFICATIONS:
HACCP, OSHA
Timeline
General Manager
Harvest Market
01.2025 - Current
Sous Chef
Quest Foods Services
03.2024 - 01.2025
Sous Chef
Harvest Market
07.2022 - 03.2023
Party Chef
Arthur's Catering
12.2021 - 03.2023
Manager & Sous Chef
JetBlue Lodge
12.2014 - 10.2021
Owner & Executive Chef
Mise en Place
05.2013 - 11.2014
Executive Chef
Stonewood Grill & Tavern
09.2011 - 05.2013
Kitchen Manager
Hurricane Grill & Wings
03.2010 - 08.2011
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Harmoni Market
11.2008 - 12.2009