SAMANTHA KNIGHT
Linstead,Jamaica
Summary
Passionate culinary arts professional dedicated to fostering growth in others, seeking an organization that prioritizes professional development and innovation. Eager to embrace new challenges that enhance skills and knowledge while contributing to a dynamic team environment. Committed to inspiring and mentoring others, with a focus on excellence in kitchen management and culinary education. Aiming to leverage experience as a Chef, Mentor, Teacher, and Manager to create impactful learning experiences and drive success within the organization.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Owner/ Operator
Chef Samy K’s Kitchen
05.2020 - Current
- Responsibilities included: Catering to all your event needs, birthdays, weddings, luncheons, etc.
Line Chef
Uncorked Jamaica
03.2025 - 06.2025
- Responsibilities included: Ensuring that dishes are prepared according to standardised recipes and ensuring that items are prepped and ready for service promptly.
Prep Cook/ Line Chef
S.E.A.R. 274- By Trevanne Donnegal-Porter
01.2023 - 10.2024
- Responsibilities included: Preparing meals, prepping ingredients for functions and events such as the Jamaica Food and Drink Festival and Private dinners.
- Part Time
Restaurant Manager/ Kitchen Supervisor/ Onboarding & Training Manager
FJ’s Smokehouse
04.2024 - 09.2024
- Responsibilities included: Supervising food & beverage staff and overseeing the quality of dishes prepared. Hiring and training new employees.
Instructor Level 2
Phillippo Baptist Community Training Intervention. Heart Trust NSTA.
08.2023 - 03.2024
- Responsibilities included: Training trainees, developing lesson plans, and ensuring that trainees grasp the knowledge of the curriculum, etc.
Quality Assurance Manager/Kitchen Supervisor
FJ’s Smokehouse
02.2023 - 07.2023
- Responsibilities included: Supervising food & beverage staff and overseeing the quality of dishes prepared.
Casual Cook
Sandals Royal Caribbean
06.2022 - 09.2022
- Responsibilities included: Cooking for guests in A La Carte style.
Instructor Level 2
Boulevard Baptist Community Training Intervention. Heart Trust NSTA.
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Responsibilities included: Training trainees, developing lesson plans, and ensuring that trainees grasp the knowledge of the curriculum, etc.
Assistant Instructor
Boulevard Baptist Community Training Intervention. Heart Trust NTA.
11.2018 - 12.2019
- Responsibilities included: Assisting in training trainees, developing lesson plans, etc.
Kitchen Assistant
Andrews Memorial Hospital
12.2017 - 11.2018
- Responsibilities included serving meal plans for specific patients, working in the Bakery, and serving as a Line Chef.
Assistant Chef
Theoray’s Entertainment & Restaurant Services
02.2015 - 12.2017
- Responsibilities included: Catering for various events (particularly weddings).
Assistant Teacher
Nation Builders’ Development Centre
09.2015 - 02.2016
- Responsibilities included: Taught penmanship, phonics, art & crafts & language arts to children ages 6 – 8 years.
Education
Commercial Food Preparation Level 4 - Sous Chef
Heart College of Hospitality Services
St. Ann Jamaica04.2024
Chef de Partie - Diploma
Boulevard Baptist Skills Training Centre
Kingston JA12-2018
Certificate of Competence in CBET Delivery and Assessment Strategies - undefined
Vocational Training Development Institute
03.2019
Certificate of Competence in CBET Lesson Planning - undefined
Vocational Training Development Institute
01.2019
Certificate in Supervisory MGT - undefined
Northern Caribbean University
08.2018
Commis Chef - Certificate
Boulevard Baptist Skills Training Centre
07.2017
Certificate - undefined
Charlemont High School
06.2010
Skills
- Create award-winning meals
- Maintains competitive edge
- Excellent penmanship
- Coaching/Mentoring youths
- Computer literate (Microsoft Office)
- Artistic expression
Accomplishments
I have had the opportunity to prepare and serve meals at a wedding for over 100 guests. I also gained exposure to work with a Celebrity chef at several events not limited to Jamaica Food and Drink Festival, The West Indies T20 Cricket match, private dinners etc.
Certification
- Supervisory Management, Northern Caribbean University - 15 weeks
- Sous Chef- Training - 2years
- Chef De Partie Training - 6 months
Languages
English
Full Professional
Interests
- Cooking
- I enjoy cooking for friends and family gatherings
- Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
- Fundraising Events
- Youth mentor, providing guidance and support to empower the next generation of leaders
- Youth Development Programs
- Baking
- I like trying new recipes and food trends
- Cake Decorating
- Food Photography
- Volunteering at community kitchens and food-related charities
- Engaging in food photography and sharing culinary creations on social media
- Strategy Games
- Fashion and Style
- Watching Movies and TV Shows
Community Service
- Restoration Family Church Youth Camp, Chef, 2019-04-18, 2019-04-22, Designed the menu for 160 persons (including special dietary needs) Supervised the kitchen staff to prepare all meals daily.
- Restoration Family Church Youth Camp, Chef, 2018-03-29, 2018-04-02, Designed the menu for 160 persons (including special dietary needs) Supervised the kitchen staff to prepare all meals daily.
- Restoration Family Church Youth Camp, Youth Counselor, 2017-04-13, 2017-04-17, Supervised a group of adolescents (ages 13 – 15)
- Restoration Family Church Youth, Assistant Youth Counselor, 2016-04-02, 2016-04-05, Assisted with the supervision of a group of adolescents (ages 12 – 14)
Awards
May 2019 Jamaica Cultural Development Centre / CULINARY ARTS COMPETITION Preserves and Condiments (Gold Medal) Category: Most Innovative Use of Jackfruit in Preserves and Condiments (In the entire Eastern Region) Best use of Jackfruit (Second Place), May 2018 Jamaica Cultural Development Centre / CULINARY ARTS COMPETITION Star Chef (Silver Medal), April 2017 Jamaica Cultural Development Centre / CULINARY ARTS COMPETITION Sponsors Segment (Silver Medal) Sweet Treats (Silver Medal)
Timeline
Line Chef
Uncorked Jamaica
03.2025 - 06.2025
Restaurant Manager/ Kitchen Supervisor/ Onboarding & Training Manager
FJ’s Smokehouse
04.2024 - 09.2024
Instructor Level 2
Phillippo Baptist Community Training Intervention. Heart Trust NSTA.
08.2023 - 03.2024
Quality Assurance Manager/Kitchen Supervisor
FJ’s Smokehouse
02.2023 - 07.2023
Prep Cook/ Line Chef
S.E.A.R. 274- By Trevanne Donnegal-Porter
01.2023 - 10.2024
Casual Cook
Sandals Royal Caribbean
06.2022 - 09.2022
Owner/ Operator
Chef Samy K’s Kitchen
05.2020 - Current
Instructor Level 2
Boulevard Baptist Community Training Intervention. Heart Trust NSTA.
01.2020 - 01.2022
Assistant Instructor
Boulevard Baptist Community Training Intervention. Heart Trust NTA.
11.2018 - 12.2019
Kitchen Assistant
Andrews Memorial Hospital
12.2017 - 11.2018
Assistant Teacher
Nation Builders’ Development Centre
09.2015 - 02.2016
Assistant Chef
Theoray’s Entertainment & Restaurant Services
02.2015 - 12.2017
Certificate of Competence in CBET Delivery and Assessment Strategies - undefined
Vocational Training Development Institute
Certificate of Competence in CBET Lesson Planning - undefined
Vocational Training Development Institute
Certificate in Supervisory MGT - undefined
Northern Caribbean University
Commis Chef - Certificate
Boulevard Baptist Skills Training Centre
Certificate - undefined
Charlemont High School
Commercial Food Preparation Level 4 - Sous Chef
Heart College of Hospitality Services
Chef de Partie - Diploma
Boulevard Baptist Skills Training Centre