Michaela Donelson
Louisville,KY
Summary
Experienced food service professional with 9 years in culinary arts, food preparation, and serving. Demonstrated leadership in safety and sanitation, coupled with expertise in kitchen management and POS systems. Holds ServSafe certification and an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts, ready to contribute culinary skills in a dynamic kitchen environment.
Overview
1
1
Certification
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Volunteer
Southeast Christian Church
Louisville, Kentucky
12.2024 - Current
- Coordinated setup of monthly food giveaway events, enhancing community support.
- Bag, weigh and pack food boxes for donations locally and internationally.
- Developed Christ-centered activities to engage children during Sunday service.
- Arranged furniture and supplies in childcare rooms before and after Sunday services.
Warehouse Receiving Lead
Derby Supply Chain Solutions
Louisville, KY
01.2023 - 10.2024
- Communicated with drivers and machine operators to ensure a smooth shift change.
- Maintained workflow momentum by ensuring tasks were completed efficiently. at a safe and effective pace.
- Maintained safe and efficient workflow by proactively addressing potential delays.
- Delegated tasks during downtime to implement 5S standards across warehouse operations, enhancing organization and efficiency.
- Communicated with shipping leads and supervisors to coordinate operations.
- Fostered positive work morale by actively engaging with employees and addressing their concerns.
- Worked with Excel program daily to log trailers, product received and E.O.D. information.
- Monitored and identified displacement issues throughout the shift.
- Delivered all necessary paperwork to front office management at E.O.D.
Assistant Chef
Brendon's Catch 23
Louisville, KY
06.2022 - 11.2022
- Killing, cleaning, and steaming fresh lobster for dinner service (day of).
- Processed and prepared fresh lobster for dinner service, ensuring optimal freshness and quality.
- Transformed scrap cuts of fresh fish into innovative appetizers, including Smoked Salmon Spread and Arancini, enhancing menu offerings.
- Assisted in preparing ingredients by washing, peeling, and chopping vegetables. including: washing, peeling, chopping, dicing and blanching all vegetables used in recipes.
- Prepared mashed potatoes by boiling and mashing fresh potatoes right before service, cornbread, roasted potatoes, beurre blanc sauce, fried flour tortillas (used as a crust base for tuna tartare) right before service hours to guarantee freshness.
- Operated multiple kitchen stations, including cold/appetizer, fry, sauté, and grill, during dinner service hours.
- Crafted and presented dishes to meet 5-star standards, emphasizing visual appeal through plating techniques.
- Assisted in recipe creation, and tastings.
Internship/Externship
Feed Louisville Non-Profit Organization
Louisville, KY
01.2022 - 07.2022
- Assisted with the preparation and cooking of 1,500 meals each week.
- Created new recipes using diverse ingredients from inconsistent donations to enhance meal variety.
- Ensure all meats were cooked to proper temperatures.
- Ensure all meats were cooked to proper temperatures.
- Prepared vegetarian, gluten free, and dairy free meals.
- Packaged meals for outreach team to deliver to houseless community, ensuring accessibility to nutritious food.
- Adhered to safe food preparation procedures while maintaining sanitation standards for quality meal presentation.
- Communicated effectively with coworkers and management to foster trust-based relationships.
- Assist management with inventory control and stock ordering
Package Handler
UPS
Louisville, KY
12.2018 - 09.2021
- Lead team in stretching and prework warm-ups (lifting 70 lbs. or more required on a daily basis with or without help)
- Participated in pre-shift meetings to address new material and communicate safety concerns
- Participated in CHSP safety committee meetings to discuss safety protocols
- Collected and organized safety blades, tape guns, and materials for efficient shift operations
- Made certain the work area was clear of trash or hazards before beginning any duties
- Collaborated with tape line to maintain steady workflow while ensuring safety standards
- Orchestrated breaks for international area, leveraging knowledge of each sector to optimize schedule
- Actively participated in meetings prior to shift to cover any new material or express any safety concerns
- Cleared and arranged work zones to prepare for subsequent shifts
Server/Dishwasher
El Trazo
Louisville, KY
04.2016 - 11.2017
- Assisted in accurately taking customer orders and delivering items promptly to enhance overall customer satisfaction.
- Processed cash and credit transactions accurately at point of sale.
- Maintained a consistently sanitary work area to uphold health and safety standards.
- Cleaned and organized cooking utensils, plates, glasses, and silverware to ensure a ready-to-use environment.
Prep Cook/Server/Dishwasher
Ruby Tuesday
Louisville, KY
02.2013 - 09.2015
- Assisted in taking accurate customer orders and delivering items efficiently, contributing to overall customer satisfaction.
- Prepared cold food items and arranged dressings and garnishes on salad bar to enhance visual appeal and customer experience.
- Kept work area clean and sanitary to meet health standards.
- Processed cash and credit transactions at point of sale.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Culinary Arts
Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville
Louisville, KYHigh School Diploma -
Fern Creek High School
Louisville, KYSkills
- Meal Preparation
- Food Production
- Sanitation practices
- Recipe creation
- Menu design
- Menu pricing
- Cost control
- Food operations
- Order fulfillment
- Shipping and Receiving
- Warehouse operations
- Order picking
- Load & unload
- Packing
- Team management
- Team coordination
- Leadership
- Culinary leadership
- Event food preparation
- In-person customer service
- Guest services
- Interpersonal skills
- Conflict resolution
- Creative adaptability
- Dependability
- Efficient under pressure
- Communication skills
- Organized
- Facility cleanliness
- 5S
- Task prioritization
- Operations management
- Basic math
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Google Docs
- Computer literacy
- Windows
- RF scanner
- Experience in non-profits
- Hotel experience
- Assistant manager experience
- Head and sous chef experience
- Casual and fine dining experience
- Banquet and catering experience
- Line cook experience
- Serving Experience
- Kitchen organization
- Kitchen waste management
- Kitchen quality control
- Recipe standardization
- Food safety
- Food assembly
- Quick service & fast food restaurant
- Cleaning
- Stocking
- Packaging
- Community support
- Experience in non-profits
- Writing skills
- Shipping and Receiving
- Order shipping processes
- Data entry
- Recipe creation
- Kitchen organization
- Customer communication
- Inventory Control
Personal Information
- Driving License: Driver's License
- Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Certification
- ServSafe
- 2025-11
- Food Safety Manager Certification
- Certified Culinarian (CC)
- Food Handler Certification
- Forklift Certification
- Driver's License
Languages
English
Timeline
Volunteer
Southeast Christian Church
12.2024 - Current
Warehouse Receiving Lead
Derby Supply Chain Solutions
01.2023 - 10.2024
Assistant Chef
Brendon's Catch 23
06.2022 - 11.2022
Internship/Externship
Feed Louisville Non-Profit Organization
01.2022 - 07.2022
Package Handler
UPS
12.2018 - 09.2021
Server/Dishwasher
El Trazo
04.2016 - 11.2017
Prep Cook/Server/Dishwasher
Ruby Tuesday
02.2013 - 09.2015
Associate of Applied Science - Culinary Arts
Jefferson Community and Technical College Louisville
High School Diploma -
Fern Creek High School