Paulina Cherabie
Escondido,CA
Summary
Self-motivated, multicultural entrepreneur with excellent organizational skills and vast natural foods industry knowledge. Experienced professional with both formal culinary training and a degree in business focusing on the food industry all across Europe. Passionate about the organic foods industry, the integrity it represents and the quality it delivers. Detail-oriented, proactive business owner with excellent marketing, customer service and facility oversight skills. Highly effective and comfortable working with people from various walks of life. Efficient worker ready to actively listen, execute plans and implement team-oriented solutions. Well-traveled, having been to food shows across three continents, resulting in a solid background in business management. Hardworking, dedicated and resourceful leader with 10 years in the CPG and foodservice industries. Always ready to pursue new professional challenges with zeal.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Owner/Managing Director
Meat the Fungi LLC
09.2020 - Current
- Established successful startup by researching market needs, creating business plan, securing funding, developing product and selling to customers within two years.
- Developed and executed business and marketing strategies, resulting in emergence of novel market and expanded customer base.
- Attended countless food shows and exhibited at several as well, gaining industry knowledge.
- Networked with other organic food brands, organized retail accounts, sourced raw materials, established relationships with natural food buyers and maintained customer satisfaction, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Built strong brand recognition and customer loyalty by delivering high-quality consumer packaged goods and services consistently over time.
Chef Instructor
Cocusocial
09.2021 - 04.2024
- Formulated quality cooking classes and offered 172 students exceptional culinary experience using traditional recipes from different cultures.
- Researched background of each dish to educate participants about history of food and both cultural and nutritional significance.
- Set up kitchen professionally to ensure safe, positive and enriching culinary event every time, receiving stellar reviews every time.
Marketing and Sales Intern
Meet Jack
01.2020 - 09.2020
- Organized sales pipeline and marketing campaign for jackfruit startup in the Netherlands.
- Onboarded and managed 20 new retail clients and restaurant accounts.
- Helped curate new vegan dishes by collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Assistant Head Chef
Avista Adventist Hospital
06.2019 - 09.2019
- Prepared nutritious dishes daily for around 70 hospital patients, collaborating with dietetic department to cater to various dietary restrictions according to specific medical conditions.
- Worked under head chef to enhance kitchen efficiency by streamlining food preparation processes and maintaining sanitary workspace.
Health Coach
FoodRxperts
11.2016 - 08.2017
- Designed website, started blog featuring healthy food recipes, and managed business operations.
- Guided clients in setting realistic goals, implementing effective action plans, and monitoring progress for long-term success.
Personal Chef
Private Clients
07.2015 - 08.2017
- Created healthy menus, meal-planned, grocery shopped and cooked for clients three times per week.
- Planned menus that incorporated healthy, fresh food sourced from local farmers and stores.
- Received consistently positive feedback from clients for exceptional taste and presentation of prepared meals.
Au Pair Nanny
Aweida Household
07.2015 - 08.2017
- Worked in childcare for wide range of children, between ages of 1-13.
- Collaborated closely with parents to establish consistent routines expectations promoting stability for their children.
- Managed daily schedules effectively, ensuring punctuality for school drop-offs and pick-ups as well as extracurricular activities.
- Prepared and promoted healthy eating habits by preparing nutritious meals and snacks for children.
Pastry Chef
True Food Kitchen
12.2015 - 06.2016
- Prepared pastries, organized recipes, and collaborated with other chefs in fast-paced environment.
- Determined quantity of product to prepare for next day operation by maintaining detailed production schedule.
Server
Tarragon Restaurant
10.2014 - 06.2015
- Worked as waitress with international team in fine dining establishment, gaining extensive knowledge about wines, gourmet food, and excellent customer service to enhance dining experience of patrons.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing exceptional fine dining service and anticipating guests' needs.
Cashier/Inventory Manager
Smartfood
01.2011 - 08.2013
- Educated consumers on benefits of organic foods, promoting healthier lifestyle choices within community.
- Maintained sufficient inventory levels to meet customer demands at all times.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration - Food Business
Aeres University of Applied Sciences
Almere, The Netherlands08.2021
Health Coach -
The Institute For Integrative Nutrition
New York City, New York09.2016
Pastry Certification -
Institute For Tourism Studies
Malta06.2015
Skills
- Excellent Communication
- Strategic/Innovative Thinking
- Willing to Learn/Improve
- Customer Service
- Social Media Management
- Solution-Oriented
- Business/Organizational Planning
- Team Leadership
- Networking/Relationship Building
- Product Development
- Financial Administration
- Sales Acumen
References
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.
Certification
Food Safety Manager
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Arabic
Limited Working
French
Limited Working
Other Experiences
- Visited many trade shows in the US and Europe (Expos East and West, BioFach, SIAL, Anuga etc.) and exhibited at several as well.
- Volunteered with organizations in Denver such as the Samaritan House Soup Kitchen, Marisol Health and others.
- Dedicated a week in February of 2018 to aid the refugees with L'Auberge du Migrants in Calais, cooking, chopping wood, organizing donations/food.
- Volunteered for two weeks from December 2018-January 2019 in Peru on an irrigation project for a local village.
- Built the interior of a tiny home in six months.
Timeline
Chef Instructor
Cocusocial
09.2021 - 04.2024
Owner/Managing Director
Meat the Fungi LLC
09.2020 - Current
Marketing and Sales Intern
Meet Jack
01.2020 - 09.2020
Assistant Head Chef
Avista Adventist Hospital
06.2019 - 09.2019
Health Coach
FoodRxperts
11.2016 - 08.2017
Pastry Chef
True Food Kitchen
12.2015 - 06.2016
Personal Chef
Private Clients
07.2015 - 08.2017
Au Pair Nanny
Aweida Household
07.2015 - 08.2017
Server
Tarragon Restaurant
10.2014 - 06.2015
Cashier/Inventory Manager
Smartfood
01.2011 - 08.2013
Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration - Food Business
Aeres University of Applied Sciences
Health Coach -
The Institute For Integrative Nutrition
Pastry Certification -
Institute For Tourism Studies
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