Lia Arroyo
Bethlehem,CT
Summary
Diligent chef with solid background in assisting chefs and kitchen staff. Successfully supported meal preparation and kitchen maintenance, ensuring smooth operations during busy service times. Demonstrated effective teamwork and strong organizational skills in high-pressure environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Chef Helper
The Local Gourmet
Southbury, CT
11.2025 - Current
- Prepared ingredients by washing, chopping, and measuring for daily meal preparation.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen workspace to ensure safety and efficiency.
- Assisted chefs in cooking and plating dishes according to menu specifications.
- Operated kitchen equipment such as slicers, mixers, and ovens with adherence to safety protocols.
- Monitored inventory levels, restocking supplies to minimize disruptions during service hours.
- Implemented best practices for food storage, ensuring compliance with health regulations and standards.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Washed, peeled, and cut fruits and vegetables in advance to save time on food preparation.
- Contributed to a positive team environment through effective communication and collaboration with staff members.
- Handled high-volume prep work efficiently, ensuring all ingredients were prepared accurately and promptly.
- Maintained clean, hygienic kitchen workspace by sweeping, mopping, and taking out trash.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Maintained high sanitation standards, adhering to local health department guidelines and ensuring food safety.
- Received shipments and placed items on proper shelves to restock and organize restaurant pantry.
Restaurant Front of House Manager
Yummy Sushi
Plainville, CT
11.2024 - 10.2025
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness, and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, and make decisions.
- Oversaw daily front-of-house operations, ensuring exceptional guest experiences and service quality.
- Trained and mentored staff in customer service protocols and operational procedures.
- Developed standard operating procedures to improve workflow efficiency and consistency.
- Coordinated events and special functions, enhancing customer engagement and satisfaction.
FOH Staff Member
Somewhere In Bangkok
Southington, CT
11.2022 - 11.2025
- Developed and maintained positive working relationships with other restaurant staff and supported team to reach common goals.
- Provided exceptional customer service, resulting in repeat business and positive online reviews.
- Utilized time management skills effectively during peak hours to ensure all guests received prompt and attentive service.
- Maintained a clean and organized dining area, contributing to an appealing atmosphere for patrons.
- Addressed customer complaints professionally and efficiently, turning potentially negative experiences into opportunities for improvement.
- Promoted menu items effectively by staying current on specials and sharing personal recommendations when appropriate.
- Implemented upselling techniques to increase average check size while still prioritizing guest satisfaction.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by managing multiple tables simultaneously while maintaining top-notch service standards.
- Served as a liaison between guests and kitchen staff, ensuring dietary restrictions were accurately communicated and met with care.
- Handled high-pressure situations with poise, ensuring guests felt valued despite any challenges faced.
Lead Barista
Mei Tea
Plainville, CT
03.2020 - 08.2023
- Maintained accurate inventory counts to meet customer demands and sustain operations.
- Utilized strong communication skills to foster a collaborative work environment among team members, resulting in increased productivity.
- Consistently maintained a clean and organized workspace, adhering to health and safety regulations.
- Resolved customer complaints quickly and professionally, maintaining positive relationships with patrons.
- Created an inviting atmosphere within the coffee shop by consistently upholding cleanliness standards throughout the establishment.
- Streamlined workflow for barista team members by implementing effective task delegation.
Line Cook
Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz, NY
09.2022 - 01.2023
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a clean and safe working environment, adhering to health and safety guidelines.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Adapted quickly to new recipes and techniques, demonstrating versatility and eagerness to learn from colleagues.
- Offered creative ideas for improving menu items or adding unique specials that appealed to diverse palates.
- Collaborated with fellow interns to complete tasks efficiently and effectively, contributing to overall team success.
- Assisted head chef with menu planning and development, resulting in an improved dining experience.
- Received positive feedback from chefs on food presentation and taste, demonstrating growth in skills throughout the internship.
Content Specialist
The Culinary Institute of America
Hyde Park, NY
02.2021 - 01.2023
- Enhanced content quality by conducting thorough research and factchecking.
- Implemented search engine optimization techniques for improved website traffic and search rankings.
- Utilized data-driven insights to inform content creation efforts, leading to better-targeted messaging that resonated with target audiences.
- Stayed current on industry trends and competitor activity to inform content strategy decisions.
- Edited and proofread materials to maintain high standards of accuracy, clarity, and readability.
- Championed a culture of continuous learning among team members through workshops, trainings, and collaborative brainstorming sessions.
- Pitched creative ideas for multimedia projects such as videos, podcasts, or infographics that enhanced overall storytelling capabilities.
Education
Associate of Arts - Culinary
The Culinary Institute of America
Hyde Park, NY06.2024
Associate of Arts - Pastry & Baking
Auguste Escoffier
Boulder, CO04.2027
Skills
- Cooking techniques
- Food preparation
- Kitchen safety
- Sanitation practices
- Ingredient identification
- Knife skills
- Allergen awareness
- Menu planning
- Recipe execution
- Customer service
Languages
Tagalog
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Chef Helper
The Local Gourmet
11.2025 - Current
Restaurant Front of House Manager
Yummy Sushi
11.2024 - 10.2025
FOH Staff Member
Somewhere In Bangkok
11.2022 - 11.2025
Line Cook
Mohonk Mountain House
09.2022 - 01.2023
Content Specialist
The Culinary Institute of America
02.2021 - 01.2023
Lead Barista
Mei Tea
03.2020 - 08.2023
Associate of Arts - Culinary
The Culinary Institute of America
Associate of Arts - Pastry & Baking
Auguste Escoffier