Luke Erkkila
Gilbert,MN
Summary
Dedicated line cook with expertise in kitchen safety, recipe adherence, and food plating. Committed to maintaining high standards in fast-paced environments while ensuring timely and quality food service.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Line Cook
Olive Garden Restaurant
Hermantown, MN
10.2025 - Current
- Prepared ingredients for daily menu items following standard recipes.
- Operated kitchen equipment to cook and assemble dishes efficiently.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of workstations throughout shifts.
- Assisted in inventory management by restocking supplies as needed.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely food service during peak hours.
- Followed food safety guidelines to ensure hygiene and quality standards were met.
- Communicated effectively with front-of-house staff for smooth service delivery.
- Adapted to changing menus and special requests from guests promptly.
- Cooked multiple orders simultaneously during busy periods.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining organized in a fast-paced environment.
- Operated fryers and grills according to instructions to maintain safety and food quality.
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment working with teammates to maintain high customer satisfaction rate.
- Set up workstations with needed ingredients, utensils and cooking equipment.
- Communicated effectively with other staff members regarding orders and menu changes.
- Followed proper food handling methods and maintained correct temperature of food products.
- Cleaned food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.
- Performed basic knife skills such as dicing onions or slicing meats.
- Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
- Prepared food items consistently and in compliance with recipes, portioning, cooking and waste control guidelines.
- Maintained hygienic kitchen with regular mopping, disinfecting workspace and washing utensils and glassware.
- Stocked and restocked kitchen supplies as needed.
- Retained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Plated dishes according to restaurant presentation standards before delivering them to customers.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Adhered to portion controls and presentation specifications.
- Adhered to sanitation policies at all times when handling food products.
- Carried pans and trays of food to and from work stations, stove, and refrigerator.
- Worked closely with management team in order to meet budget goals while maintaining high quality standards.
- Made meals in accordance with company standards and requirements.
- Sanitized workstation at end of shift to minimize risk of salmonella and other food-borne illnesses.
- Portioned food onto plates, added garnishes and sauces and handed off to wait staff for serving.
- Maintained clean and orderly appearance throughout kitchen and dining area.
- Established and maintained open, collaborative relationships with kitchen team to maximize efficiency.
- Memorized new menu items and ingredients quickly to help customers select items meeting needs and preferences.
- Executed proper techniques when preparing menu item ingredients.
- Weighed, measured and mixed ingredients, following recipes to produce quality dishes.
- Reviewed recipes to determine exact measurements and ingredients to create dishes.
Housekeeping/Laundry
Hampton Inn By Hilton
Duluth, Minnesota
06.2025 - 08.2025
- Thoroughly cleaned guest rooms, ensuring high standards of hygiene and presentation.
- Replenished supplies and amenities, maintaining inventory for optimal guest satisfaction.
- Assisted in laundry operations, managing linens and towels efficiently.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance cleaning workflows and overall efficiency.
- Responded to guest requests courteously, fostering positive guest experiences.
- Maintained professional relationships with guests throughout hotel stays.
- Monitored service quality provided by laundry personnel, implementing corrective actions as needed.
- Coordinated with vendors for timely delivery of car rentals, hotel reservations, and air tickets.
Welder
Eagle Docks
Tower, Minnesota
03.2009 - 07.2011
- Operated welding equipment for metal fabrication and assembly projects.
- Interpreted blueprints and technical drawings to accurately understand project specifications.
- Prepared materials by cutting, grinding, and cleaning surfaces prior to welding.
- Assembled metal components using MIG, TIG, and oxy-acetylene welding techniques.
- Maintained organized workspace to uphold safety standards consistently.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance project efficiency and accuracy.
- Conducted quality checks on finished products for compliance with specifications.
- Assisted in troubleshooting equipment issues during fabrication processes.
Education
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Minneapolis, MN12-2024
Associate of Science - Business Management
Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Minneapolis, MN12-2024
Associate of Arts - Welding
Mesabi Range College
Eveleth, MN05-2019
Skills
- Kitchen safety
- Recipe adherence
- Food plating
- Food preparation
- Equipment operation
- Inventory management
Certification
- Carpentry
- Entrepreneurship
Accomplishments
- Phi Theta Kappa
Timeline
Line Cook
Olive Garden Restaurant
10.2025 - Current
Housekeeping/Laundry
Hampton Inn By Hilton
06.2025 - 08.2025
Welder
Eagle Docks
03.2009 - 07.2011
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Associate of Science - Business Management
Minneapolis Community And Technical College
Associate of Arts - Welding
Mesabi Range College