Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Company Involvement
Timeline
Generic

Mona Guerrero

Artesia,CA

Summary

Enthusiastic, creative, hardworking Chef de Cuisine who is passionate about food. 19 years' experience in a wide variety of restaurant kitchens, ranging from small, intimate seating, to venues serving more than 900 guests. In total, more than 34+ years' experience working within the food and beverage industry. Currently seeking a challenging position where my acquired skills and areas of expertise can be effectively utilized within an organization that is equally committed to providing their guests with an excellent food and service experience.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Chef of Culinary Services & Developmental Education

Terranea
01.2022 - Current
  • This incredible role of being a pillar of support to entire Culinary department, from all Culinary leadership to hourly Culinary associates
  • My role includes administrative tasks including: managing payroll, ordering, inventory, scheduling, calendar management, Onboarding culinary leadership, Guest/customer services
  • The Developmental Educational piece includes the following tasks: Creating & developing curriculums for the externship program at Terranea with students from C.I.A culinary school, Creating & developing detailed events/activations to showcase said extern team, as a team &/or as individuals, Weekly meetings with externs individually to assist guiding each to ensure they are developing & maximizing their on hands on learning while working in an appointed kitchen, Maintain their rotation of kitchens during their 4-month continued education while at Terranea
  • As part of my unique role in the culinary department, combined with my years of experience as a Chef de Cuisine & hospitality background, I am able to jump into any situation where I may be needed to assist at most any time, weather it is assisting in a station on the line or temporarily oversee an outlet as a temporary Chef de Cuisine
  • Another responsibility of my leadership role is to co-lead and oversee the front of the house team of Our Café, Terraena's employee dining room
  • With this role, I lead & train a team of 2 attendants that greet our in house guests, and maintain the dining room and serving space
  • This role includes the following tasks: Staff scheduling, Ordering, Managing adequate and effective labor cost, Managing adequate & effective food cost, Maintaining a well-balanced, enticing menu for our in-house guests, Continuing to be involved with activations in Our Café dining room, Work to create & maintain an inviting, associate & team spirit atmosphere, Actively involved in culinary associate's growth & development.

Culinary Leadership Associate

Terranea Resort
01.2013 - Current
  • This oceanfront resort that has been a catapult to my career
  • I've been part of an incredible team of colleagues and Executives
  • I've learned a vast array of hotel knowledge & have climbed the ladder with the support of many important people of the Terranea leadership
  • I have grown immensely at Terranea & have had the opportunity to grow & lead multiple outlet's Heart of the House teams throughout my tenure, including my unique & current role as Chef of Culinary Services & Developmental Education.

Chef De Cuisine

Terranea
01.2018 - 01.2022
  • A unique experience of its own in regard to creating menu offerings for 3 very diverse outlets on property, In-Room-Dining, Sea Beans & Lobby Bar
  • Ability to create seasonal menus while keeping with our “Farm to Terranea” program and partnership with Catalina View Farms
  • I have had the ability to strengthen my strategizing skills & grit while navigating through the changes of business due to 2020 pandemic
  • I assisted front of the house In-Room-Dining as a “Chef & B” when reopening the hotel in June 2020 which was helpful to understand another area of hospitality.

Chef De Cuisine

Terranea
01.2014 - 01.2018
  • With having the privilege of being part of team at one of the most special in my heart & local favorite restaurants to the neighboring cities, I was given the opportunity to grow as a Chef & build on my leadership skills
  • By applying my skills and knowledge which I brought with me, Nelson's humbly trained me to work, strategize & train more efficiently in an exceptionally high-volume kitchen
  • During my time at Nelson's, I proudly worked within a leadership team that would take Nelson's to a financial success in 2017
  • The Nelson's restaurant is a welcoming, cliff side dining experience & it's culinary direction has evolved for the past 15+ years and is steadily climbing to be the destination outlet of Terranea
  • I'm very proud to have been part of the Nelson's team

Sous Chef

Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub
02.2013 - 03.2013
  • With the closing of Ranch House Kitchen, I was asked to join the team of our company's latest venue located at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian Hotel and Casino
  • This high-energy bar/club atmosphere offers a creative menu including Build-Your–Own Tacos and “Dogs” to a variety of salads and sliders
  • My responsibilities include the management of a kitchen staff of 8.

Sous Chef

Fine Entertainment Inc.
10.2010 - 03.2013
  • A Las Vegas-based company founded by leading Las Vegas native and entrepreneur, Jonathan Fine, who owns some of the city's top hot spots, including Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub, PBR Rock Bar & Grill and the former Ranch House Kitchen
  • In 2012 ranked #22 in the Top 100 Nevada Companies by INC
  • Magazine in their INC
  • 5000 Rankings

Executive Sous Chef

PBR Rockbar
10.2010 - 04.2012
  • Relocated with a partner of my previous restaurant, Balboa Pizza Company, to a much larger scale, Southern BBQ-style kitchen seating more than 800 guests, located Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino
  • My culinary and managerial skills were utilized in the management of 40+ kitchen employees
  • In addition, I gained further experience in catering/banquet-style preparation and menu building while sometimes serving upwards of 3000 guests daily.

Kitchen Manager

Balboa Pizza Company
04.2005 - 10.2010
  • A surfboard-lined, Southern California-themed restaurant specializing in gourmet pizzas, with a 100-seat dining room and kitchen staff of 15 of which I was responsible
  • Keeping with the Southern California vibe, my menus were inspired by featuring both fresh and seasonal products
  • In time, my responsibilities increased to include the management of the front-of-the-house staff and the handling of all guest relations
  • During my 5-year tenure, I took pride in the fact that our restaurant gained the trust and loyalty of repeat guests and the notoriety for consistently providing high quality, fresh food.

Education

Graduate -

Art Institute of Los Angeles
Santa Monica, CA
12.2000

Graduate -

San Pedro High School
San Pedro, CA
12.1990

Skills

  • Word
  • Excel
  • Powerpoint
  • Birchstreet
  • Consistently working to high standards
  • Decision maker and problem solver
  • Taking ownership for all duties, tasks and responsibilities
  • Mentally tough enough to effectively work long hours in a stressful environment
  • High volume line cooking
  • Recipe and menu
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Guest Relations
  • Advance Food Hygiene/Safety
  • Cost Control
  • Purchasing and Inventory
  • Knife Skills
  • Food presentation
  • Effective Communications
  • Allergen awareness

Certification

  • California ServSafe Card

Company Involvement

  • Terrane Women's Forum
  • Coral Tree DEI Counsil
  • Safety Committee
  • President's Leadership Award of Excellence, 3rd Quarter, 2023
  • Leader of the Month, October 2014

Timeline

Chef of Culinary Services & Developmental Education

Terranea
01.2022 - Current

Chef De Cuisine

Terranea
01.2018 - 01.2022

Chef De Cuisine

Terranea
01.2014 - 01.2018

Sous Chef

Rockhouse Bar & Nightclub
02.2013 - 03.2013

Culinary Leadership Associate

Terranea Resort
01.2013 - Current

Sous Chef

Fine Entertainment Inc.
10.2010 - 03.2013

Executive Sous Chef

PBR Rockbar
10.2010 - 04.2012

Kitchen Manager

Balboa Pizza Company
04.2005 - 10.2010

Graduate -

Art Institute of Los Angeles

Graduate -

San Pedro High School

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Mona Guerrero