Luz La Quire
El Cajon,CA
Summary
Dynamic culinary professional with extensive experience at Olive Garden, excelling in menu development and team leadership. Proven ability to enhance guest satisfaction through innovative food presentation and effective inventory management. Skilled in food safety and communication, fostering a collaborative kitchen environment while reducing waste and improving operational efficiency.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Culinary Assistant
Olive Garden
- Assisted in food preparation and presentation, ensuring quality and consistency across dishes.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen stations, adhering to sanitation standards.
- Supported chefs during service by coordinating ingredient availability and managing mise en place.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline workflow, enhancing kitchen efficiency during peak hours.
- Trained new staff on standard operating procedures and best practices in food handling techniques.
- Contributed ideas for menu improvements based on customer feedback and culinary trends observed in service.
- Assisted in developing seasonal menu changes, incorporating fresh ingredients and creative flavor combinations to keep guests excited about the culinary offerings.
- Participated in weekly inventory checks and ordering processes, ensuring the availability of necessary ingredients for daily operations.
- Efficiently managed multiple orders simultaneously under pressure during peak hours without sacrificing quality or presentation standards.
- Maintained open communication with front-of-house staff regarding special requests or modifications from guests, ensuring accurate order fulfillment every time.
- Implemented proper food handling techniques, maintaining strict adherence to safety standards and regulations.
- Reduced food waste through careful inventory management and creative use of ingredients.
- Prepared customized meal options for guests with dietary restrictions or allergies, providing an inclusive dining experience for all patrons.
- Assisted with training new hires, fostering a supportive team atmosphere and improving overall kitchen efficiency.
- Monitored food intake and evaluated nutritional status to identify areas of concern and respond promptly.
Culinary Manager
Olive Garden
- Developed and implemented seasonal menu changes to enhance guest experience.
- Trained and mentored kitchen staff on food preparation and presentation standards.
- Streamlined inventory management processes to reduce waste and improve cost efficiency.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations during food preparation and storage.
- Collaborated with front-of-house teams to optimize service flow during peak hours.
- Analyzed customer feedback to refine menu offerings and improve overall satisfaction.
- Coordinated special events, enhancing brand visibility and customer engagement through tailored menus.
- Attracted new clientele with creative marketing initiatives such as themed events or special promotions highlighting unique culinary experiences.
- Streamlined kitchen operations for increased efficiency by implementing effective inventory management systems.
- Motivated team of Number employees to maintain high standards of food preparation and efficiency for Number hours per shift.
- Developed strong relationships with local suppliers to ensure access to the freshest ingredients at competitive prices, enhancing overall dish quality while positively impacting the bottom line.
- Increased employee retention by offering competitive compensation packages and fostering a supportive work environment that prioritized professional development opportunities for staff members.
Retail Worker
Sodexo USA
10.2025 - Current
- Assisted customers with product selection and inquiries, enhancing overall shopping experience.
- Operated cash register efficiently, ensuring accurate transactions and minimizing errors.
- Maintained clean and organized store displays to promote product visibility and accessibility.
- Collaborated with team members to restock merchandise, optimizing inventory levels on sales floor.
- Handled customer complaints promptly, resolving issues to maintain satisfaction and loyalty.
- Implemented visual merchandising strategies, increasing customer engagement with featured products.
- Monitored stock levels regularly, identifying trends to assist in inventory management decisions.
- Greeted customers, helped locate merchandise, and suggested suitable options.
- Replenished sales floor merchandise and organized shelves, racks, and bins for optimal appearance.
- Demonstrated strong communication skills when collaborating with fellow employees or assisting customers with inquiries or concerns.
- Maintained a clean and organized sales floor, enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers.
- Used POS system to process sales, returns, online orders, and gift card activations.
- Answered questions about store policies and addressed customer concerns.
- Participated in regular inventory counts, allowing for accurate record-keeping and better decision-making regarding merchandise ordering.
- Stocked merchandise, clearly labeling items, and arranging according to size or color.
- Performed cash, card, and check transactions to complete customer purchases.
- Built customer loyalty and retention by delivering excellent shopping experiences.
- Listened to customer needs and desires to identify and recommend optimal products.
- Managed efficient cash register operations.
- Volunteered for extra shifts during holidays and other busy periods to alleviate staffing shortages.
Dietary Server
Sodexo USA
05.2021 - 2023
- Delivered meals to residents, ensuring dietary needs and preferences were met.
- Assisted in meal preparation, maintaining cleanliness and organization of dining area.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure timely service and quality food presentation.
- Monitored food safety protocols, adhering to hygiene standards during service.
- Responded to resident inquiries regarding menu items and dietary restrictions.
- Assisted in training new staff on proper serving techniques and customer service practices.
- Improved patient satisfaction by providing timely and efficient meal service to residents.
- Expedited meal delivery by efficiently organizing tray assembly lines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner services.
- Provided compassionate care for elderly residents while assisting them during mealtimes, fostering a supportive atmosphere.
- Demonstrated exceptional attention to detail when preparing meals according to specific dietary restrictions or allergies.
- Collaborated with the kitchen staff to ensure accurate food orders and special diet requirements were met.
- Promoted healthy eating habits with appropriate portion control in serving meals.
- Supported dietary department goals by actively participating in team meetings and sharing ideas for improvement.
- Facilitated communication between kitchen staff and healthcare providers regarding patient-specific nutrition concerns.
- Increased resident satisfaction by attentively addressing individual needs and preferences during meals.
Cook Operator
Summit Food Service
06.2021 - 09.2022
- Operated kitchen equipment to prepare meals in accordance with safety standards.
- Assisted in food preparation tasks, ensuring consistency and quality of dishes.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain cleanliness and organization of kitchen area.
- Monitored inventory levels and reported shortages to management for timely replenishment.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure smooth workflow and consistent delivery of well-prepared dishes.
- Managed inventory levels, optimizing ordering processes to minimize costs while maintaining sufficient stock.
- Reduced food waste through effective portion control and efficient meal planning.
- Adhered to strict dietary restrictions while creating flavorful meals for customers with specific needs.
- Prepared food items according to recipe to drive quality and consistency.
- Worked in fast-paced environment with sense of urgency to serve guests quickly.
- Kept kitchen up to code for health and safety inspections.
- Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
- Monitored food temperatures to meet quality and safety standards.
- Communicated with management on food inventory stock to request order placement.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Suggested actionable improvements to streamline training procedures.
Cook Shift Leader
Sodexo
03.2003 - 04.2021
- Assisted in food preparation and cooking processes to ensure timely service.
- Learned and adhered to kitchen safety and sanitation protocols.
- Supported inventory management by organizing and restocking supplies efficiently.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain smooth kitchen operations during peak hours.
- Engaged in training new staff on cooking techniques and safety practices.
- Demonstrated adaptability by working in different stations based on demand.
- Contributed to maintaining a clean and organized work environment throughout shifts.
- Demonstrated exceptional multitasking abilities by overseeing multiple cooking stations simultaneously while maintaining quality control standards.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Successfully managed inventory and reduced waste by carefully monitoring food usage and rotating stock.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Inspected freezer and refrigerator daily to check and maintain proper temperatures.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality meals in a timely manner.
- Trained and mentored new cooks, resulting in increased productivity and improved teamwork within the kitchen staff.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Handled high-pressure situations calmly and professionally, maintaining focus on completing tasks efficiently without compromising quality.
- Supported overall restaurant success through cross-training in various positions when necessary to provide adequate coverage during busy times.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Assisted in menu planning and development, incorporating guest feedback and industry trends to keep offerings fresh and appealing.
- Contributed to positive workplace culture by fostering open communication among team members and addressing issues proactively before they escalated.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by implementing streamlined cooking processes and procedures.
- Managed kitchen budget for supplies and labor hours, consistently meeting targets.
- Planned menus for different events, seasons and customer requests.
- Worked closely with kitchen team to meet high demand with delicious, on-recipe foods.
- Trained and supervised cooking staff to expertly meet daily needs.
- Contributed to consistent customer satisfaction rating by producing high-quality food and providing timely service.
- Streamlined food preparation tasks for more efficient service during peak hours.
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between kitchen and dining room teams for optimal guest satisfaction.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Utilized expert knowledge of various cooking techniques to prepare diverse dishes that met or exceeded guest expectations.
- Assisted management with scheduling, ensuring proper coverage during busy shifts and reducing labor costs.
Education
High School Diploma -
San Marcos High School
San Marcos, CACulinary Institute of Tuscany
Tuscany Italia 10.2010
Skills
- Kitchen safety
- Food preparation
- Knife skills
- Cooking techniques
- Sanitation practices
- Food presentation
- Food storage
- Sauce making
- Ingredient identification
- Portion control
- Nutrition
- Allergy awareness
- Garnishing techniques
- Menu planning
- Special diets
- Recipe execution
- Food cost control
- Written and verbal communication
- Patient education
- Sanitation rules and regulations
- Nutrition counseling
- Meal planning
- Health promotion
- Meal distribution
- Healthy eating tips
- Recipe development
- Sports nutrition
- Taste testing and recipe development
- Weight management
- Organic foods
- Dietary restriction assistance
- Distributing meals
- Food allergies
- Geriatric nutrition
- Catering experience
- Teamwork
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable
- Problem-solving abilities
- Cleaning and sanitizing
- Multitasking
- Multitasking Abilities
- Reliability
- Workplace safety
- Excellent communication
- Reliable and punctual
- Organizational skills
- Team collaboration
- Team leadership
- Creative thinking
- Active listening
- Effective communication
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Verbal and written communication
- Team contribution
- Dishwasher operation
- Decision-making
- Kitchen staff support
- Kitchen sanitation
- Safe food handling
- Relationship building
- Safe handling
- Chopping vegetables
- Cash register operation
- Vegetable and fruit preparation
- Safety management
- Self motivation
- Nutritional knowledge
- Food preservation and storage methods
- Coaching and mentoring
- Kitchen equipment operation
- Interpersonal communication
- Ingredient preparation
- Payment processing
- Inventory control
- Time management abilities
- Cake decorating
Timeline
Retail Worker
Sodexo USA
10.2025 - Current
Cook Operator
Summit Food Service
06.2021 - 09.2022
Dietary Server
Sodexo USA
05.2021 - 2023
Cook Shift Leader
Sodexo
03.2003 - 04.2021
Culinary Assistant
Olive Garden
Culinary Manager
Olive Garden
High School Diploma -
San Marcos High School
Culinary Institute of Tuscany
Languages
Spanish
Limited Working