Michael Lozada
Hillsboro,OR
Summary
Motivated professional with several years of experience preparing delicious meals for customers. Polished in following proper food handling methods and maintaining correct temperature of food products. Creative and artistic professional committed to strengthening kitchen team with better collaboration, recipes and cooking techniques. Ive been cooking since I was a child. Growing up with a single parent you either ate a sandwhich or you made something for yourself. Since I was a small child I've been fascinated with all aspects of cooking and have always had an eye for it. I've been cooking my whole life either at home or in a professional kitchen. I've spent the last 7 years working in a fast paced, high volume culinary system. We focus on fine dining and hospitality and serve hundreds of customers every day. I am well versed in kitchen skills and the fast paced environment of a professional kitchen. I have trained junior cooks, coordinated meal services, planned menus and opened and closed kitchens. The extremely fast pace and high volume ive been working in for years has helped me fine tune my skill set and has made me a well rounded and capable presence in the kitchen.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook
Compass Group USA
Hillsboro, OR
12.2017 - Current
- Prepared meals according to recipes and menus, adjusted ingredients and cooking times accordingly.
- Adhered to food safety standards when storing and preparing foods.
- Cleaned kitchen equipment, surfaces, utensils and dishes.
- Supervised and trained kitchen staff on proper preparation techniques.
- Checked quality of ingredients before use in order to ensure freshness.
- Ensured that all food was cooked at the correct temperature and stored correctly.
- Maintained a clean working environment by sweeping, mopping floors, washing surfaces and emptying trash cans.
- Planned menus based on customer preferences, nutritional value and budget constraints.
- Provided guidance to junior cooks regarding food preparation methods and techniques.
- Tasted all prepared dishes in order to check flavorings, texture and presentation prior to serving them to customers.
- Assisted in developing new recipes or modifying existing ones for better taste or efficiency.
- Adjusted seasonings of dishes during cooking process in order to enhance flavors.
- Inspected kitchens for sanitary conditions before the start of each shift.
- Organized storage areas for efficient usage of space.
- Resolved customer complaints regarding food quality or services provided.
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment working with teammates to maintain high customer satisfaction rate.
- Followed established procedures and requirements for safe food handling, storage and service.
- Operated grills, fryers and broilers to cook items to quality guidelines.
- Wrapped, dated and labeled food items in storage for safety and freshness.
- Enforced proper sanitation practices to prevent spoiling or contamination of foods.
- Chopped, diced and sliced vegetables and fruit ahead of rush periods.
- Operated ovens, fryers and mixers safely to prevent kitchen accidents and machinery malfunction.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Used standardized recipes and other instructions to prepare food.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Prepared and served meals by reviewing recipes and combining and cooking ingredients.
- Replenished food items from inventory and rotated ingredients.
- Coordinated orders to expedite food from kitchen according to cook time and delivery time.
- Retained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Carried pans and trays of food to and from work stations, stove and refrigerator.
- Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces and salads.
- Managed portion control using correct utensils during preparation and plating.
- Took inventory counts before and after shifts to complete food inventory or storage sheets.
- Trained, managed and guided kitchen staff to improve overall performance, service quality and productivity.
- Prepared a wide range of dishes according to menu specifications and chef instructions.
- Sanitized workstation at end of shift to minimize risk of salmonella and other food-borne illnesses.
- Set up work stations prior to opening to minimize prep time.
- Maintained clean and orderly appearance throughout kitchen and dining area.
- Received and stored food and supplies.
- Checked quality of food products to meet high standards.
- Checked completed orders for correct quantity and quality.
- Adhered to regulatory standards regarding safe and sanitary food prep.
- Made meals in accordance with company standards and requirements.
- Chopped and diced vegetables and fruits to stock fridge ahead of busy periods.
- Prepared variety of foods according to exact instructions and recipe specifications.
- Handled advanced thawing and food pre-preparation for upcoming meals.
- Executed proper techniques when preparing menu item ingredients.
- Monitored temperatures of prepared food and cold-storage areas.
- Operated kitchen equipment in alignment with OSHA protocols and manufacturer instructions.
Education
High School Diploma -
Glencoe Highschool
Hillsboro, OR06-2007
Skills
- Grilling
- Frying
- Food handling
- Order prioritization
- Recipe modification
- Food presentation
- Food safety oversight
- Contamination prevention
- Recipe-based cooking
- High volume production capability
- Plate presentation
- Cleaning and organization
- Effective planner
- Kitchen sanitation management
- Recipes and menu planning
- Hospitality and service industry background
- Cooking techniques
- Focused and disciplined
- Strong attention to safe food handling procedures
Timeline
Cook
Compass Group USA
12.2017 - Current
High School Diploma -
Glencoe Highschool