Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
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Ross Gambel

Pensacola

Summary

Dynamic leader with a proven track record at Innisfree Hotels, Hilton Pensacola Beach, where I spearheaded high-profile events, driving customer satisfaction through innovative menu development and stringent food safety practices. Excelled in operations management and interpersonal skills, achieving significant cost savings and fostering a culture of excellence. Expert in vendor negotiations and team development, consistently delivering exceptional banquet experiences.

Overview

38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Executive Banquet Chef

Innisfree Hotels , Hilton Pensacola Beach
05.2023 - Current
  • Collaborated with event planners to ensure seamless execution of high-profile events and special occasions.
  • Conducted regular training sessions for culinary staff on cooking techniques, presentation skills, and food safety practices to ensure top-notch performance from all team members.
  • Developed custom menu options to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, ensuring an inclusive dining experience for all guests.
  • Maintained strict adherence to food safety standards, consistently passing health inspections with flying colors.
  • Managed budgets effectively by forecasting expenses accurately and identifying opportunities for cost reduction where possible.
  • Consistently met tight deadlines while maintaining exceptional quality standards during high-volume banquet events.
  • Continuously refined recipes based on guest feedback, resulting in improved customer satisfaction ratings.
  • Established strong relationships with local vendors, securing fresh ingredients at competitive prices.
  • Demonstrated strong leadership by effectively managing staff schedules, workload distribution, and performance evaluations to ensure optimal team productivity.
  • Analyzed banquet event orders and planned and coordinated functions with catering staff to meet or exceed customer expectations.
  • Managed production by adhering to preparation, plating and presentation standards and following safety regulations to deliver top quality food.
  • Wrote, maintained and updated banquet menu specifications, recipes and production forecasts.
  • Streamlined kitchen operations for improved efficiency, resulting in reduced food waste and increased cost savings.
  • Created visually stunning food presentations that enhanced the overall dining experience and garnered positive feedback from clients.
  • Enhanced guest satisfaction by developing and executing innovative banquet menus.
  • Spearheaded catering initiatives during large-scale corporate events that resulted in repeat business due to exceptional quality and service.
  • Cultivated a culture of excellence within the kitchen team through open communication, positive reinforcement, and constructive feedback, ultimately contributing to an elevated standard of banquet cuisine.
  • Implemented effective inventory management systems, ensuring optimal stock levels and reducing spoilage costs.

Culinary Director

Great Southern Restaurant Group
05.2016 - 10.2020
  • Collaborated with marketing teams on promotional campaigns that highlighted signature dishes or special events, driving increased traffic and revenue for the business.
  • Collaborated closely with other department heads to ensure seamless coordination of events, leading to successful outcomes for all involved parties.
  • Expanded catering services portfolio to accommodate changing market demands, including corporate functions, weddings, and special events.
  • Developed a strong culinary team through consistent coaching, mentoring, and performance evaluations resulting in excellent employee retention rates.
  • Established food preparation procedures and guidelines to promote meal consistency and quality.
  • Purchased food and cultivated strong vendor relationships.
  • Coordinated with catering staff to deliver food services for special events and functions.

Quality Engineer

Toyota Motor Manufacturing
05.1987 - 05.2013
  • Developed inspection plans based on design specifications, ensuring all critical dimensions and performance criteria were verified throughout the manufacturing process.
  • Improved customer satisfaction levels with timely resolution of non-conformance issues and effective corrective actions.
  • Performed quality inspections and drafted reports to detail non-conforming material issues.
  • Contributed to root cause analysis to determine core reason for failures and errors.
  • Implemented process improvements based on Lean Six Sigma methodologies, resulting in reduced waste and increased efficiency.
  • Developed action plan for company certification using ISO 9000 standard knowledge.
  • Enhanced product quality by implementing rigorous inspection procedures and conducting thorough root cause analysis.
  • Facilitated training sessions for team members on quality management principles and best practices, enhancing overall competency levels within the department.
  • Collaborated with external auditors during annual reviews, ensuring a seamless audit process with minimal findings or discrepancies noted.
  • Implemented supplier qualification system, elevating quality of incoming materials and components.
  • Collaborated with R&D to integrate quality considerations into early design stages, enhancing product durability and functionality.

Education

Master of Science - Masters of Engineering Management , MEM

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
05-1987

Bachelor of Science - Marketing Management And Research

University of Louisville
Louisville, KY
05-1986

Skills

  • Interpersonal skills
  • Operations management
  • Executive support
  • Customer-oriented
  • Vendor negotiations
  • Problem resolution
  • Team player
  • Customer retention
  • Expense control
  • P&L management
  • Vendor sourcing
  • Project planning
  • Training and development

Certification

  • ServSafe Food Handler's Certification
  • First Aid Certification
  • Six Sigma Certification
  • Florida Driver's License

Timeline

Executive Banquet Chef

Innisfree Hotels , Hilton Pensacola Beach
05.2023 - Current

Culinary Director

Great Southern Restaurant Group
05.2016 - 10.2020

Quality Engineer

Toyota Motor Manufacturing
05.1987 - 05.2013

Master of Science - Masters of Engineering Management , MEM

Vanderbilt University

Bachelor of Science - Marketing Management And Research

University of Louisville

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Ross Gambel