Nicholas Akau
Mountain View
Summary
Dedicated chef bringing over 20 years of experience in restaurant environments. Team player skilled at communicating and translating customer requests. Deep understanding of OSHA and other compliance measures.
Motivated and hardworking cook with 20 years of experience cooking delicious items quickly at fast food establishments. Expert at preparing various menu items using various cooking methods. Customer-focused and dedicated to preparing orders exactly as requested.
Outgoing and friendly with strong motivation for success.
Flexible hard worker ready to learn and contribute to team success.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook
Ortega
08.2021 - 02.2025
- Sanitized food preparation areas, grills and equipment to avoid cross-contamination from raw items.
- Operated ovens, fryers and mixers safely to prevent kitchen accidents and machinery malfunction.
- Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces and salads.
- Maintained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Chopped, diced and sliced vegetables and fruit ahead of dinner rush.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Enforced proper sanitation practices to prevent spoiling or contamination of foods.
- Replenished food items from inventory and rotated ingredients.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Precooked certain items during slow periods to reduce wait times during lunch and dinner rush.
- Interacted with waitstaff regarding special orders for customers with food allergies and gluten intolerance.
- Regulated oven, broiler and roaster operations for cooking at correct temperatures.
- Trained, managed and guided kitchen staff to improve overall performance, service quality and productivity.
- Modified standard recipes to account for ingredient issues, customer requests or substitutions for allergen concerns.
- Precooked garnishes for later use to top off fresh dishes.
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment working with teammates to maintain high customer satisfaction rate.
- Developed new recipes based on knowledge of consumer tastes, ideal nutritional needs and budgetary considerations.
- Coordinated average of 30 to 500 daily food orders, organizing timely deliveries to each table.
- Made recommendations regarding future food and equipment purchases to maintain product effectiveness.
Cook
Hula hulas
07.2017 - 06.2020
- Sanitized food preparation areas, grills and equipment to avoid cross-contamination from raw items.
- Operated ovens, fryers and mixers safely to prevent kitchen accidents and machinery malfunction.
- Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces and salads.
- Maintained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Enforced proper sanitation practices to prevent spoiling or contamination of foods.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Interacted with waitstaff regarding special orders for customers with food allergies and gluten intolerance.
- Regulated oven, broiler and roaster operations for cooking at correct temperatures.
- Trained, managed and guided kitchen staff to improve overall performance, service quality and productivity.
- Modified standard recipes to account for ingredient issues, customer requests or substitutions for allergen concerns.
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment working with teammates to maintain high customer satisfaction rate.
- Developed processes to streamline food-preparation and presentation tasks, recommending changes as necessary to boost food-cost savings.
- Developed new recipes based on knowledge of consumer tastes, ideal nutritional needs and budgetary considerations.
- Made recommendations regarding future food and equipment purchases to maintain product effectiveness.
Cook
Ortega Multiple Services
08.2014 - 03.2017
- Sanitized food preparation areas, grills and equipment to avoid cross-contamination from raw items.
- Operated ovens, fryers and mixers safely to prevent kitchen accidents and machinery malfunction.
- Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces and salads.
- Maintained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Chopped, diced and sliced vegetables and fruit ahead of dinner rush.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Enforced proper sanitation practices to prevent spoiling or contamination of foods.
- Trained, managed and guided kitchen staff to improve overall performance, service quality and productivity.
- Developed new recipes based on knowledge of consumer tastes, ideal nutritional needs and budgetary considerations.
- Made recommendations regarding future food and equipment purchases to maintain product effectiveness.
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment working with teammates to maintain high customer satisfaction rate.
Kitchen Utility Worker
Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i
05.2009 - 12.2015
- Maintained order and cleanliness of work areas to conform with health codes.
- Cleaned utensils, dishes and glasses for customer use.
- Observed food handling and sanitation procedures to safeguard against foodborne illnesses.
- Cross-trained in other kitchen positions to support team and meet customer needs.
- Gathered ingredients and cleaned and cut food items to prep recipes.
- Stored perishable food items in freezer or refrigerator to protect from spoilage.
- Restocked pantry with nonperishable food items to prevent stock from running low.
- Checked and recorded refrigerator and freezer temperatures daily to verify proper working conditions.
- Monitored inventory and promptly reported food items requiring reorder.
- Moved food and supply items from delivery trucks to storage by unloading and organizing.
- Restocked cupboards, refrigerators and service stations with new food items or supplies.
- Adhered to food safety and sanitation protocols to reduce germ spread.
- Cleaned and sanitized kitchen equipment, utensils, and work stations.
Teppanyaki Chef
Norwegian Cruise Line
07.2009 - 03.2011
- Developed innovative Teppanyaki menu items that attracted new customers and increased overall sales for the restaurant.
- Consistently met strict safety and sanitation guidelines, maintaining a clean workstation throughout each shift.
- Established rapport with regular patrons, cultivating loyalty through personalized service and attention to individual preferences.
- Assisted in training new team members on Teppanyaki cooking techniques, fostering a supportive work environment for all employees.
- Demonstrated adaptability when accommodating dietary restrictions or allergies of guests, creating customized dishes that catered to specific needs.
- Displayed excellent knife skills during meal preparation, impressing guests with intricate cuts and garnishes on their plates.
- Maintained high food quality standards by carefully selecting fresh ingredients and following proper preparation methods.
- Observed extreme caution when preparing meals in front of guests so that no one got hurt.
Teppanyaki Chef
Benihana
08.2005 - 12.2008
- Demonstrated meal creation and preparation for guests in entertaining and fun atmosphere.
- Greeted restaurant guests and explained processes for teppanyaki dining.
- Appropriately utilized knives and other sharp instruments to prepare and cut meat and fish for dish creation.
- Conversed with patrons and explained different menu items and what ingredients would be used in meal preparations.
- Promoted safe and fun environment for individuals.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of line workstations.
- Operated fryers and grills according to instructions to maintain safety and food quality.
- Grilled various cuts of meat and seafood items to meet customer specifications and food handling standards.
- Marinated food items according to corporate-provided instructions and recipes.
- Stored foods in designated areas by following standard wrapping, dating and rotation procedures.
Cook
Mokes bread and breakfast
06.2004 - 11.2004
- Maintained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
Food Preparation Worker Food Busser
Buzz's Steakhouse
04.2003 - 09.2004
- Maintained clean and sanitized work area in accordance with food safety guidelines, avoiding cross-contamination of raw and prepared food products.
- Re-stocked, organized and arranged service and food stations.
- Cross-trained in other kitchen positions to support team and meet customer needs.
Dishwasher and Cook
Lucy's grill and bar
08.2002 - 03.2004
- Sanitized food preparation areas, grills and equipment to avoid cross-contamination from raw items.
- Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces and salads.
- Operated ovens, fryers and mixers safely to prevent kitchen accidents and machinery malfunction.
- Maintained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Grilled and deep fried various foods from meats to potatoes.
- Maintained safe operations of food prep equipment to reduce complications and retain safety procedures.
- Coordinated average of 5 to 60 daily food orders, organizing timely deliveries to each table.
Education
High School Diploma -
James B. Castle High School
Kaneohe, HI03.2004
Skills
- Dish preparation
- Cutting and slicing techniques
- Well-tuned palette
- Food handlers card
- OSHA
- Focused and disciplined
- Team-oriented
- Effective prioritization
- Equipment cleaning and maintenance
- Problem Resolution
- Data evaluation
- Adaptive team player
- Shipping and receiving understanding
Timeline
Cook
Ortega
08.2021 - 02.2025
Cook
Hula hulas
07.2017 - 06.2020
Cook
Ortega Multiple Services
08.2014 - 03.2017
Teppanyaki Chef
Norwegian Cruise Line
07.2009 - 03.2011
Kitchen Utility Worker
Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i
05.2009 - 12.2015
Teppanyaki Chef
Benihana
08.2005 - 12.2008
Cook
Mokes bread and breakfast
06.2004 - 11.2004
Food Preparation Worker Food Busser
Buzz's Steakhouse
04.2003 - 09.2004
Dishwasher and Cook
Lucy's grill and bar
08.2002 - 03.2004
High School Diploma -
James B. Castle High School
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