Maria C. Taylor

Tech-savvy innovator teacher, with hands-on experience in emerging technologies and passion for continuous improvement. Skilled in identifying opportunities for technological enhancements and implementing effective solutions. Adept at leveraging new tools and methods to solve problems and enhance productivity. Excels in adapting to fast-paced environments and driving technological advancements.

In addition of Regular teaching experience, 16 years of Chef Instructor, and Business owner.

• Family and Consumer Science Teacher - Culinary, Indiana, Certified teacher in the state of Indiana
• ServSafe certification, Necessary for culinary positions

• Student Event Coordinator, Fix-it-Friday, Illinois State University, 08/19, Organized students to provide weekly free clothing repair services to the community
• Workshop presenter, Chicago Trade Fair - Virtual Event, Demonstrated mending ethics for beginner and advanced clothing repair
• Food Truck Feasibility Study team, Illinois State University, 09/20, Evaluated various business models and presented a proposal for a food truck at ISU
• Member, IFACSTA, Normal, IL

• Owner and executive chef, Maria's: A Great Place to Eat, Washington, IL, 03/00, 03/17, Hired, trained, and supervised employees, Created all original recipes (standard and allergen-sensitive options), Trained and mentored at-risk individuals to provide them with job skills, Taught knife skills, cooking, and baking classes, Taught classes on cooking for those with special dietary needs
• Owner & Executive Chef, Maria’s a great place to eat, Washington, IL, 2006, 2017, Order food weekly for daily use at restaurant as well as for special events and catering, Hire, train and supervise front and back of house employees, including all necessary procedures for safe preparation and serving of allergen meals, Interact and maintain relationships with various vendors, Create all recipes for food served in restaurant, including soups, salads, appetizers, entrées and desserts, Develop wide variety of gluten free options including soups, salads, appetizers, entrées, breads, and desserts, Prep food, work the line, and prepare allergen meals regularly, Developed instruction manuals for employees, including customer service, food prep, and allergen safety procedures, Manage daily kitchen operations, Pass all health inspections for both the restaurant and off-site events such as the Taste of Washington, Design and create custom cakes for special events and weddings, including gluten free, Design and create unique and original appetizers and desserts for catering and banquet events, Train at-risk individuals to provide them with job skills such as necessary to acquire and keep jobs as kitchen help, dishwasher, or wait staff
• Property Manager & Renovation, Manage day-to-day property needs of duplex condominium, Acted as general contractor for renovations that required skilled trades, Performed many renovations, including painting, tile work, masonry repairs, and landscaping
• Owner & Executive Chef, Maria’s Tea Room & Simply Unique Gift Shop, Peoria Heights, IL, 1991, 2004, Manage all daily operations of restaurant, Manage and run gift shop, Responsible for all purchasing of items for gift shop, Create point of purchase displays, Managed staff, sales, and daily operations leading to 20% growth in sales each year, Designed and painted custom ceramic pieces for sale in gift shop, Traveled to major gift purchasing shows in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas
• Executive Chef, French Toast Restaurant, Peoria Heights, IL, 2004, 2006, Responsible for cold kitchen, Pastry chef