NESTOR RUIZ
Summary
Dedicated Executive Chef with expertise in menu creation and kitchen staff management. Developed compelling seasonal menus while maintaining high culinary standards and effectively controlling food costs and labor. Committed to delivering exceptional dining experiences through innovative culinary direction.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Executive Chef
Jake's Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California
10.2025 - 05.2026
- Led kitchen staff to ensure efficient workflow and consistently high-quality food preparation.
- Created innovative menu concepts that elevated customer dining experiences.
- Managed inventory, ensuring freshness of ingredients and adherence to supply compliance.
Executive Chef
RDRNNR
La Quinta, California
11.2022 - 06.2025
- Developed seasonal menus that elevated customer dining experiences and aligned with market trends.
- Supervised kitchen staff to optimize food preparation and service, ensuring consistent quality and speed.
- Supervised kitchen staff to ensure efficient food preparation and service.
- Coordinated with suppliers to source premium ingredients, enhancing dish quality and flavor profiles.
- Implemented food safety standards to maintain health regulations compliance.
- Streamlined kitchen operations to improve workflow and reduce waste.
- Created dish presentations that aligned with restaurant branding and style.
- Managed inventory levels to ensure availability of essential kitchen supplies.
Executive Chef
LG'S Steakhouse
La Quinta, California
10.2021 - 11.2022
- Supervised kitchen staff, enhancing food preparation and service quality.
- Supervised kitchen staff to ensure efficient food preparation and service.
- Implemented food safety standards to maintain health regulations compliance.
- Trained new chefs on cooking techniques and kitchen procedures, fostering skill development and team cohesion.
- Managed inventory levels to ensure availability of essential kitchen supplies.
- Managed ordering, inventory levels, and equipment maintenance to ensure seamless kitchen operations.
Executive Chef
Indian Wells Golf Resort
Indian Wells, CA
11.2018 - 10.2021
- Developed kitchen staff through targeted training, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions to enhance team effectiveness.
- Delivered excellent food quality and maximized customer satisfaction by preparing meals according to customer requests.
- Estimated food consumption and requisitioned food, selected and developed recipes, standardized production recipes for consistent quality and established presentation technique.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Oversaw business operations, managed inventory control, and ensured high standards of customer service in restaurant.
- Assisted customers in planning corporate events, social galas and gourmet dinners.
- Initiated training for new team members on culinary techniques, streamlining kitchen workflows and enhancing overall productivity.
- Initiated training for new team members on culinary techniques to improve productivity and increase kitchen workflows.
- Generated employee schedules, work assignments and determined appropriate compensation rates.
- Oversaw business operations, inventory control, and customer service for restaurant.
- Inventoried food, ingredient and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
- Obtained fresh, local ingredients to lower grocery costs.
Executive Chef
TRIO & Liquid Catering
Palm Springs, CA
10.2017 - 11.2018
- Developed kitchen staff through training and performance reviews, enhancing team skills and accountability.
- Delivered excellent food quality and maximized customer satisfaction by preparing meals according to customer requests.
- Estimated food consumption and requisitioned food, selected and developed recipes, and standardized production recipes to ensure consistent quality and presentation.
- Oversaw business operations, inventory control, and customer service for restaurant.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action and performance reviews.
- Oversaw business operations, inventory control, and customer service for the restaurant.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Inventoried food, ingredient and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
Executive Chef
The Chateau At Lake La Quinta
La Quinta, CA
10.2015 - 10.2017
- Trained kitchen staff and conducted performance reviews to enhance team skills and accountability.
- Estimated food consumption and requisitioned food, selected and developed recipes, standardized production recipes for consistent quality and established presentation technique.
- Estimated food consumption, requisitioned ingredients, selected and developed recipes, standardized production methods for consistent quality, and established presentation techniques.
- Generated employee schedules, work assignments and determined appropriate compensation rates.
Executive Chef
Ruth Chris Steakhouse
Palm Desert, California
04.2008 - 09.2014
- Maintained high standards of quality and service at Ruth's Chris restaurant
- Supervised kitchen staff to optimize food preparation and service delivery.
- Implemented food safety standards to ensure compliance with health regulations and enhance kitchen safety.
Chef de Cuisine
Spa casino
Palm Springs, California
08.2005 - 09.2007
- Managed daily kitchen operations and coordinated staff assignments.
- Developed seasonal menus to enhance guest dining experiences.
- Supervised food preparation and ensured high-quality presentation.
Chef Supervisor
N9NE Steakhouse
Cabazon, California
08.2004 - 05.2005
- Supervised kitchen staff to ensure efficient food preparation and service.
- Developed and maintained high standards of food quality and presentation.
- Coordinated inventory management to ensure availability of fresh ingredients.
Education
Indio High School
Indio, CA 09.1990 - 09.1994
Skills
- Recipe Development
- Menu Planning
- Menu design
- Special Events and Catering
- Event catering
- Fine dining service
- Food safety compliance
- Safe Food Handling
- Standards Compliance
- Inventory Management
- Cost management
- Supply management
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Cleaning and Sanitation
- Staff supervision
- Staff Scheduling
- Team Leadership
- Restaurant Operation
- BOH Operations
- Problem solving
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Training development
- Customer Service
- Customer service
- Safety standards
- Inventory management
- BOH operations
- Food safety compliance
Timeline
Executive Chef
Jake's Palm Springs
10.2025 - 05.2026
Executive Chef
RDRNNR
11.2022 - 06.2025
Executive Chef
LG'S Steakhouse
10.2021 - 11.2022
Executive Chef
Indian Wells Golf Resort
11.2018 - 10.2021
Executive Chef
TRIO & Liquid Catering
10.2017 - 11.2018
Executive Chef
The Chateau At Lake La Quinta
10.2015 - 10.2017
Executive Chef
Ruth Chris Steakhouse
04.2008 - 09.2014
Chef de Cuisine
Spa casino
08.2005 - 09.2007
Chef Supervisor
N9NE Steakhouse
08.2004 - 05.2005
Indio High School
09.1990 - 09.1994