Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Summary
Timeline
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Michael Wegrzyn

kalamazoo

Summary

Dynamic Chef De Cuisine with expertise in culinary innovation, team leadership, and menu development. Proven ability to optimize kitchen operations and enhance customer satisfaction while maintaining food safety standards. I've had experience in whole animal butchery and pastry. Culinary professional bringing a wealth of experience in high-end kitchen environments focusing on delivering exquisite dining experiences. Known for collaborating effectively with team members to achieve culinary excellence and adapt to changing demands. Proficient in menu development, kitchen operations, and fostering positive team culture.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience

Work History

Chef De Cuisine

Sprout
Kalamazoo, MI
05.2002 - 01.2022
  • Developed innovative i shoulvmenu offerings to enhance cusd drive repeat business.
  • Led kitchen team in executing high-quality dishes, ensuring adherence to culinary standards and presentation.
  • Oversaw inventory management, optimizing stock levels to reduce waste and improve cost efficiency.
  • Trained and mentored junior chefs, fostering skill development and teamwork within the kitchen environment.
  • Developed innovative menu offerings to enhance customer satisfaction and drive repeat business.
  • tassisted in building and install equipmet

Sous Chef/Butcher

Food Dance Cafe
Kalamazoo MI
05.2012 - 02.2017
  • worked expo line foe dinner service
  • built a working butcher roon, with rails for whole animals
  • fabricated whole hogs, lamb, chicken and steer quarters
  • Wrote several HACCP plans tp ferment my own Salumi
  • was in butchers guils 2013 to 14
  • buiilt a fermententing chamber
  • made all brats, andoullie, mortadella ect
  • attended Butchers Guild Covention and worked with Darrio Dhaccini

Sausage Maker, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef

Bells Brewery
Kalamazoo Mi
06.2015 - 07.2015
  • because of COVID, i was laid off forr a month then sent to the actuall brewerey factory
  • ran depalatizer and de palatizer
  • ran vpax station
  • ran bottle station
  • competed and won several pastry compatitions.
  • i can dfirve a fofklift

Chef De Cuisine/Executive Sous Chef

Haven Gastropub
Orange California
03.2010 - 04.2013
  • worked the line as needed
  • Tought new cooks
  • Worked as expo most nights
  • did alll ordering and inventorry
  • fermeted 1000# of cyanne peppers for house hot sauce

managed a brgade of up tp 15

  • cooks

Chef De Cuisine/ Executive Sous Chef

Haven Pasadena
Pasadena, CA
01.2011 - 04.2012
  • Turnkey ,operation, al to order all new equipment like 2 Rational ovens, tilt skillets, ect.
  • Trained up to 12 culinary students from the local La Cordon Bleu
  • re designed kitchen layout for maximum productivaty
  • wrote menu with Exec Chef
  • Tarained all cooks and preps
  • worked several off site functions
  • made my own sausage

Head Chef

Sprout Asian Bistro
Kalamazoo, MI
04.2008 - 01.2011
  • Supervised kitchen operations, ensuring quality and consistency in food preparation and presentation.
  • Trained and mentored junior chefs, fostering skill development and teamwork within the kitchen.
  • Developed seasonal menus, incorporating local ingredients to enhance flavor profiles and customer satisfaction.
  • Implemented food safety protocols, maintaining high standards of sanitation and hygiene throughout the kitchen.
  • i also helped build the kitchen
  • worked under a chef that worked at Alenia
  • learned about sous and many other molecular cuisine

Head Chef

Sprout Asian Bistro
Kalamazoo
07.2008 - 01.2009
  • Collaborated with front-of-house staff to optimize service flow and improve guest experiences.
  • Implemented cost control measures, maintaining budget compliance while preserving quality standards.
  • Fostered a positive team environment, encouraging collaboration and continuous improvement among staff.
  • Evaluated kitchen processes regularly, identifying areas for enhancement to streamline operations.
  • helped rewrite munug techniques
  • redesigned kitchen and asian cooking
  • hired new prep staff
  • trained new sous chhef

Head Chef

the Black Swam
Kalamazoo, MI
03.2000 - 05.2007
  • Developed and executed innovative seasonal menus to enhance customer satisfaction.
  • Supervised kitchen staff, ensuring adherence to food safety standards and operational efficiency.
  • Trained new team members on culinary techniques and kitchen procedures for seamless integration.
  • Managed inventory levels, reducing waste through effective resource allocation practices.

Education

No Degree - N/a

Mattawan Consoladated
Mattawan, MI
06-1997

Skills

  • butcher, former member of the USA Butchers Guild
  • attended StarChef Conventions and several food shows
  • caterting
  • menu writing and execution
  • experience with new restaurant builds and re bebuilds
  • trained pastry chef
  • ive worked for really good chefs for around 27 years
  • Ive eaten at several michillen star resaurants

Languages

English
Professional Working

Summary

Dynamic chef with 27 years of experience in culinary innovation, team/brigade leadership and menu planing and development. Proven ability to optimize kitchen operations to enhance work flow, enhancing customer satisfactions while maintaining safety standards. Ive was involved in many kitchen build outs and refurbishing.

Wether opening a 50 seat molecular/fine dining restaurant or cooking for thousands at the Orange County street fair, I have always kept composure and got the job done

Timeline

Sausage Maker, Sous Chef, Pastry Chef

Bells Brewery
06.2015 - 07.2015

Sous Chef/Butcher

Food Dance Cafe
05.2012 - 02.2017

Chef De Cuisine/ Executive Sous Chef

Haven Pasadena
01.2011 - 04.2012

Chef De Cuisine/Executive Sous Chef

Haven Gastropub
03.2010 - 04.2013

Head Chef

Sprout Asian Bistro
07.2008 - 01.2009

Head Chef

Sprout Asian Bistro
04.2008 - 01.2011

Chef De Cuisine

Sprout
05.2002 - 01.2022

Head Chef

the Black Swam
03.2000 - 05.2007

No Degree - N/a

Mattawan Consoladated
Michael Wegrzyn