MARIO VALDEZ
Dumfries,VA
Summary
Dynamic culinary professional with experience at The Hay-Adams Hotel, excelling in food preparation and customer service. Proven ability to enhance dining experiences through quality control and seasonal menu development. Skilled in cooking and cleaning, with a strong focus on teamwork and efficiency, ensuring high standards in fast-paced environments. ServSafe certified.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook
The Hay-Adams Hotel
03.2022 - Current
- Prepared diverse menu items in accordance with hotel standards and guest preferences.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen stations to ensure safety and efficiency.
- Assisted in inventory management, monitoring stock levels for timely replenishment.
- Collaborated with team members to execute large-scale catering events smoothly.
- Implemented quality control measures to enhance food presentation and taste consistency.
- Trained new staff on kitchen protocols and safe food handling procedures.
- Streamlined cooking processes, reducing preparation time while maintaining high-quality output.
- Developed seasonal menus incorporating local ingredients to elevate dining experiences.
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
Cook
Joe’s Seafood Restaurant
12.2013 - 08.2025
Restaurant Busser
BLT Prime
08.2016 - 09.2021
- Assisted in maintaining cleanliness and organization of dining areas to enhance guest experience.
- Collaborated with servers to ensure timely delivery of food and beverages to guests.
- Supported efficient table turnover by promptly clearing and resetting tables after each service.
- Monitored supply levels and communicated needs to management for timely replenishment of dining materials.
- Participated in training new staff on best practices for cleanliness and customer service standards.
- Engaged with guests to address concerns, contributing to a positive dining atmosphere.
- Implemented feedback from supervisors to improve workflow efficiency during peak hours.
- Maintained knowledge of menu items to assist guests with questions regarding food selections.
- Kept close eye on customers to quickly spot leaving guests and clear tables for future patrons.
- Maintained a clean and safe dining environment by sweeping floors, wiping down surfaces, and keeping walkways clear of debris.
- Assisted servers in managing their sections effectively, providing timely water refills and bread service.
- Contributed to smooth restaurant operations by promptly resetting tables for new customers.
- Collected trash, wiped up spills, and removed trays to maintain fresh and clean customer areas.
- Developed excellent relationships with managers and fellow team members to support team success and positive work environment.
- Worked well in diverse team settings by partnering with others to complete tasks.
- Trained new staff in bussing and cleaning procedures.
- Pitched in extra hours and helped other staff during unexpected times of high volume to improve seating availability and food delivery to tables.
- Helped servers expedite food orders during busy hours by running food from the kitchen quickly and accurately.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to ensure dishes were properly sorted and returned to the dishwashing area.
- Reset used tables within prescribed timeframes to expedite turnover and increase available dining room space.
- Demonstrated strong teamwork by assisting servers with food delivery during peak times when needed.
- Assisted with moving tables, chairs and other restaurant service equipment within dining rooms.
- Enhanced overall restaurant presentation through constant upkeep of common areas such as entryways, waiting areas, coat rooms, and restrooms.
- Delivered smooth and timely service to customers by offering additional silverware, extra napkins, and cleaning spills.
- Emptied on-site trash receptacles into dumpsters and large waste receptacles.
- Provided exceptional customer service while assisting servers with carrying trays, delivering beverages, or attending to special requests from guests.
- Aided in maintaining a positive atmosphere within the restaurant through friendly interactions with coworkers and guests alike.
- Assisted in training new bussers on restaurant procedures, table settings, and customer service expectations.
- Maintained a comprehensive knowledge of menu items, daily specials, and allergen information to provide informed assistance when necessary.
- Improved customer satisfaction rates by answering customers' questions and resolving issues.
- Demonstrated attention to detail when setting tables according to specific event requirements or guest preferences.
- Collaborated with team members to address emergent dining room situations and fill gaps in duty schedules.
- Assisted management with inventory control by monitoring stock levels of linens, flatware, glassware, and other items essential for daily operations.
- Facilitated effective communication between front-of-house and back-of-house teams to maintain seamless dining experiences for all patrons.
- Reset and cleaned tables quickly to prepare for new customers.
- Refilled drinks and provided extra napkins and silverware to go extra mile in serving customers.
- Monitored and maintained cleanliness, sanitation, and organization of assigned station and service areas.
- Assisted with bussing tables and cleaning up spills.
- Monitored dining room inventory and replenished as necessary.
- Monitored food and beverage supplies, assisting with restocking when needed.
- Arranged tables and chairs for special occasions and events.
- Delivered exceptional guest experiences through attentive service and quick response to issues.
- Collaborated with other dining room and bar staff to facilitate efficient service.
- Greeted customers and provided menus upon arrival to dining room.
- Monitored dining room and bar areas for signs of overcrowding.
- Operated dishwashers and other kitchen equipment according to safety guidelines.
- Processed payments for orders and provided customers with change.
Education
High School Diploma -
Continental Academy
Florida City, FLSkills
- Customer service
- Cooking
- Cleaning and organization
- Food handling
- Fine dining
- Wine pairing
- ServSafe certified
Timeline
Cook
The Hay-Adams Hotel
03.2022 - Current
Restaurant Busser
BLT Prime
08.2016 - 09.2021
Cook
Joe’s Seafood Restaurant
12.2013 - 08.2025
High School Diploma -
Continental Academy
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual