Merissa Cedar
Las Cruces,NM
Summary
Proactive kitchen assistant known for strong organizational skills and adherence to safety protocols. Experienced in streamlining food preparation processes and collaborating with team members to enhance kitchen efficiency.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kitchen Assistant
Zia Chile Traders
645 S Alameda Blvd, Las Cruces, NM 88005
01.2026 - Current
- Prepared ingredients and maintained cleanliness in kitchen to ensure efficient operations.
- Assisted chefs with food preparation, enhancing workflow and productivity in high-volume environment.
- Operated kitchen equipment safely, following all safety protocols to maintain a secure workspace.
- Collaborated with team members to streamline food service processes, improving overall efficiency.
- Maintained organized workstations, contributing to a smooth and effective kitchen operation.
- Adapted quickly to changing priorities in fast-paced environment, ensuring timely meal delivery.
- Assisted chefs in food preparation tasks, resulting in timely meal service.
- Cleaned and organized kitchen stations to promote team efficiency.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure smooth workflow during peak hours.
- Washed, peeled, and cut fruits and vegetables in advance to save time on food preparation.
- Enhanced kitchen efficiency by maintaining clean and organized workstations.
- Utilized knife skills to expertly chop, slice, and dice ingredients as needed for recipes.
- Accepted opportunities to learn new skills, improve performance and cross-train for other positions.
- Ensured proper storage of ingredients to maintain freshness and reduce waste.
- Maintained strict compliance with food safety regulations, ensuring high-quality meals for patrons.
- Operated standard kitchen equipment with focus on safety and sanitation.
- Reduced cross-contamination risks by strictly adhering to sanitation protocols when handling allergens.
- Promoted accident prevention through proper and acceptable levels of sanitation and cleanliness of kitchen.
- Tasked with removal of garbage and refuse, mopping and sweeping floors and washing walls.
- Streamlined dishwashing processes, enabling a faster turnaround time for serving customers.
- Maintained swift pace of work to meet business demands for cleaning and supplies storage.
- Labeled and stored all food items correctly and checked expiration dates routinely.
Deli Supervisor
Food Lion
35 Westridge Market Pl, Candler NC 28715
11.2024 - 06.2025
- Prepared and assembled deli products to ensure freshness and presentation standards.
- Assisted customers with product selection, providing knowledgeable recommendations based on preferences.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of deli area, adhering to health and safety regulations.
- Operated slicing and packaging equipment efficiently while following operational guidelines.
- Collaborated with team members to meet daily inventory requirements and reduce waste.
- Resolved customer inquiries promptly, enhancing overall shopping experience in deli section.
- Implemented best practices for food handling, contributing to a safe food preparation environment.
- Carefully prepared orders by slicing, weighing, and packaging cheeses and meats and accurately calculated prices.
- Effectively managed time-sensitive tasks such as food preparation for large catering orders while balancing day-to-day responsibilities of serving customers.
- Collaborated with team members to efficiently complete daily tasks and consistently meet customer needs.
- Maintained clean, trash-free workspaces to maximize productivity and safety.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Made food according to standard recipes with requested changes for customer satisfaction.
- Prepared high-quality sandwiches, salads, and other deli products for customers, resulting in repeat business.
- Ensured timely replenishment of supplies during peak hours, minimizing potential disruptions to customer service levels.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking abilities while managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
- Cleaned and sanitized dishes and utensils, consistently keeping adequate supplies on hand for expected customer loads.
- Prevented food spoilage by monitoring dates, rotating stock, and following proper storage procedures.
- Strictly followed sanitation and food safety guidelines as required by regulatory agencies and company.
- Supported store operations by adhering to proper food handling procedures and sanitation guidelines at all times.
- Opened new inventory and rotated stock by dates to maintain freshness.
- Contributed to positive customer experiences by promptly addressing concerns and providing knowledgeable product recommendations.
- Developed strong rapport with regular customers, fostering loyalty through personalized service and attention to detail.
- Listened carefully to customer instructions and prepared orders according to those preferences.
- Restocked supplies and prepared additional ingredients during downtime for expected busy periods.
Deli Supervisor
Ingles Supermarket
1572 Sandhill Rd, Candler NC 28715
03.2024 - 11.2024
- Supervised deli operations to ensure compliance with safety and sanitation standards.
- Trained new staff on food preparation techniques and customer service protocols.
- Managed inventory levels for deli products, reducing waste through efficient stock rotation.
- Assisted in developing daily specials to enhance customer engagement and sales.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of the deli area to promote a welcoming environment.
- Managed inventory levels to ensure adequate stock availability while minimizing overstock and spoilage.
- Implemented quality control measures to uphold product freshness and presentation standards.
- Monitored equipment maintenance schedules to ensure optimal functionality and minimize downtime due to repairs or malfunctions.
- Reduced food waste by implementing proper portion control, storage, and rotation practices.
- Adhered to all safety standards when using slicers, knives, fryers, ovens, or other potentially hazardous equipment within the deli area.
Education
High School Diploma -
Ecot
Columbus, OHSkills
- Dishwashing
- Safe food handling
- Food preparation
- Ingredient management
- Cleaning and sanitizing
- Kitchen station organization
- Positive attitude
- Kitchen cleaning and maintenance
- Ingredient preparation
- Food storage
- Allergen awareness
- Health code compliance
- Knife skills
- Sanitation practices
Certification
- State Food Safety Certificate Of Training, New Mexico Food Handlers Essentials Course.
Timeline
Kitchen Assistant
Zia Chile Traders
01.2026 - Current
Deli Supervisor
Food Lion
11.2024 - 06.2025
Deli Supervisor
Ingles Supermarket
03.2024 - 11.2024
High School Diploma -
Ecot