Stephen Bruso
Tampa,FL
Summary
Dynamic culinary leader with extensive experience at Jackson’s Bistro Sushi and Bar and puff n stuff. Excelling in kitchen operations and food safety management. Proven track record in training teams, enhancing food presentation, and reducing waste. Adept at fostering teamwork and motivating staff to achieve high standards in fast-paced environments.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Chef Supervisor
Jackson’s Bistro Sushi, and Bar
12.2025 - Current
- Oversaw kitchen operations to ensure adherence to food safety standards.
- Managed inventory levels, optimizing ingredient usage to reduce waste and costs.
- Developed seasonal menu items, incorporating customer feedback for enhanced dining experiences.
- Implemented quality control measures, maintaining high standards for food presentation and taste.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations, identifying areas for improvement within culinary team.
- Troubleshot equipment issues in the kitchen quickly so as not to disrupt operations or compromise food safety.
- Ensured consistent presentation of dishes by establishing plating standards and providing training to kitchen staff members.
- Fostered a positive work environment, promoting teamwork among kitchen staff members for improved productivity.
- Trained junior chefs on culinary techniques, improving overall skill levels within the team.
- Plated every dish with attractive flair to meet strict restaurant standards and maintain stellar business reputation.
Assistant Banquet Chef
Puff N" Stuff Catering
05.2021 - 12.2025
- Assisted in food preparation for large-scale events, ensuring timely service and quality standards.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen workspace, adhering to safety and sanitation protocols.
- Collaborated with team members to coordinate kitchen tasks during high-pressure banquet services.
- Followed recipes accurately to ensure consistency in flavor and presentation of dishes served at events.
- Participated in inventory management by tracking supplies and communicating needs to senior staff members.
- Boosted employee morale by recognizing outstanding performance while also addressing areas for improvement through constructive feedback.
- Established strong communication lines between culinary and service staff, fostering a cohesive team environment that improved overall event execution.
- Consistently met or exceeded health code regulations by maintaining a clean and organized kitchen workspace.
- Managed special dietary requests, providing exceptional personalized service to attendees with specific needs or preferences.
- Collaborated with Executive Chef on menu development, incorporating seasonal ingredients for fresh, innovative dishes.
Head Food Runner
Fords Garage West Chase
11.2019 - 05.2020
- Supervised food runners to ensure timely and accurate delivery of orders.
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to optimize workflow and efficiency during peak times.
- Trained new food runners on operational standards and service protocols.
- Monitored inventory levels, assisting in stock management and ordering as needed.
- Upheld strict hygiene standards by adhering to proper handwashing practices and utilizing clean serving utensils when delivering dishes from the kitchen to tableside guests.
- Streamlined food running process by coordinating effectively with kitchen and waitstaff, resulting in improved overall efficiency.
- Collaborated with servers to anticipate guest needs, providing prompt assistance and creating a seamless dining experience.
Education
Associate of Science - Computer Science
Hillsborough Community College
Tampa, FL05.2024
Skills
- Scheduling staff
- Sanitation standards
- Kitchen operations
- Food presentation
- Waste reduction
- Special diets
- Food safety management
- Customer service
- Kitchen leadership
- Team leadership
- Verbal and written communication
- Detail-oriented
- Knife skills
- Cooking techniques
- Staff motivation
- Menu memorization
Timeline
Chef Supervisor
Jackson’s Bistro Sushi, and Bar
12.2025 - Current
Assistant Banquet Chef
Puff N" Stuff Catering
05.2021 - 12.2025
Head Food Runner
Fords Garage West Chase
11.2019 - 05.2020
Associate of Science - Computer Science
Hillsborough Community College