McKenzie Winkler
Austin
Summary
Culinary professional with history of enhancing kitchen operations and maintaining high standards of food quality. Proven ability to contribute to menu creation and streamline kitchen processes. Focused on team collaboration and achieving consistent results, ensuring reliability and adaptability in fast-paced setting.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Junior Pastry Chef
Foliepop's
Austin, TX
10.2025 - Current
- Trained junior staff on pastry techniques, fostering skill development within the team.
- Implemented quality control measures to maintain product standards and minimize errors.
- Maintained a clean and organized workstation, adhering to health and safety regulations.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to guarantee timely delivery of all pastries, cakes and desserts.
- Produced allergy-friendly gluten-, dairy- and egg-free variations of classic recipes.
- Mixed icing and other toppings by reading recipes, scaling, and measuring ingredients and operating mixer.
- Operated ovens and bakery equipment to prepare products according to recipes.
- Decorated cakes, cupcakes and other pastries according to customer requests.
- Prepared dough for variety of pastries, cakes and breads.
- Packaged finished products for sale.
- Prepared frostings and other toppings for cakes and pastries.
- Baked consistent quality items by accurately mixing, dividing, shaping, and proofing.
- Determined baking times for various items.
- Cut and shaped dough for pies, rolls and other pastries.
- Worked with multiple kinds of chocolate with various fat percentages
- Preparing mousse, buttercream, cakes, domes, tartlets, and other delicious sweets
Junior Sous Chef
Tillie's
Dripping Springs, TX
05.2025 - 10.2025
- Oversaw all daytime prepcooks and line chefs
- Ran tea time service
- Worked garde manger, fry, line, and pizza oven
- Worked bruch service
- Assisted in pastry
- Trained new chefs on kitchen procedures, fostering a collaborative and efficient environment.
- Implemented inventory management system, reducing waste and optimizing ingredient usage.
- Mentored junior staff, promoting skill development and career growth within the team.
- Prepped daily menu items to quickly deliver upon request.
- Oversaw cleanliness of each station in kitchen.
- Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
- Led team by example in preparing items accurately and according to high-quality standards.
- Evaluated employee performance and provided constructive feedback to support ongoing development within the team.
- Streamlined kitchen operations by implementing efficient food preparation techniques and maintaining a clean work environment.
- Accelerated service times by efficiently organizing mise en place during busy shifts without sacrificing the quality of the final product.
- Trained junior staff members on proper cooking techniques, plating methods, and kitchen safety protocols for improved performance.
- Received praise from customers for exceptional flavor combinations and presentation skills, enhancing the restaurant''s reputation for culinary excellence.
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to address any customer concerns or issues promptly, fostering strong relationships between departments for seamless service delivery.
- Demonstrated adaptability by quickly learning new recipes and techniques to accommodate guest dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Coordinated with team members to prepare orders on time.
Junior Sous Chef
Camp Lucy
Dripping Springs, TX
12.2024 - 05.2025
- Ran catered events plated, buffet, and family style
- Ran all breakfast events
- Assisted head chef in ordering, inventory, and running events
Chef
Camp Lucy
Dripping Springs, TX
12.2021 - 11.2024
- Assisting with all prep for large catered events
- Smoking all meats
- Grilling most proteins for the week
- Helping with inventory
- Running Tea Time service at the restaurant on site
- Collaborated with event planners to create customized dining experiences for guests.
- Streamlined inventory management to reduce waste and enhance efficiency.
- Supervised daily kitchen operations, ensuring adherence to quality standards.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Cultivated a positive work culture among kitchen staff through open communication lines and mutual respect within the team.
- Successfully met dietary requirements for diverse clientele by providing customized meal options upon request.
Assistant Head Chef
American Seafood's Company
Dutch Harbor, AK
08.2021 - 10.2024
- Conducted regular inventory assessments to optimize ingredient usage and reduce waste.
- Managed daily kitchen operations in Head Chef''s absence, ensuring smooth service during peak hours.
- Assisted with menu development and planning.
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
- Utilized culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes.
- Worked 12 hour shifts everyday, feeding around 130 crew members 3 times a day.
- In charge of dish, all prep, line set up and break down, all deep cleaning, as well as every backload.
- Sometimes assisting housekeepers with their duties on the vessel.
Chef
Royal Fig Catering
Austin, TX
02.2019 - 06.2021
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to streamline food preparation processes, enhancing overall efficiency.
- Prepared and executed diverse menu items for large-scale events, ensuring high-quality presentation and flavor.
- Prepared batch cocktails and ran drink tastings.
- Head of charcuterie boards and large platters.
Education
No Degree - Nursing
ACC
Austin, TXSkills
- Baking techniques
- Dessert presentation
- Precision measuring
- Multitasking
- Product wrapping and packaging
- Adaptability
- Food presentation
- Food safety
- Effective communication
- Reliability
Timeline
Junior Pastry Chef
Foliepop's
10.2025 - Current
Junior Sous Chef
Tillie's
05.2025 - 10.2025
Junior Sous Chef
Camp Lucy
12.2024 - 05.2025
Chef
Camp Lucy
12.2021 - 11.2024
Assistant Head Chef
American Seafood's Company
08.2021 - 10.2024
Chef
Royal Fig Catering
02.2019 - 06.2021
No Degree - Nursing
ACC