Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Languages
Affiliations
Work Availability
Work Preference
Software
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Sami Selmi

Montgomery,AL
Sami Selmi

Summary

Experienced culinary manager with a passion for innovation, seeking to lead a commercial kitchen in delivering exceptional dining experiences. Goal is to ensure operational excellence and foster team development. Unique opportunities provided by spouse's career with the USAF have allowed for expansion of culinary expertise, bringing creativity and efficiency to any culinary setting. Professional culinary expert with a strong focus on team collaboration and delivering exceptional results. Demonstrated expertise in menu development, kitchen management, and high-quality food preparation. Reliable and adaptable, ensuring consistent excellence in fast-paced, changing environments. Known for leadership, creativity, and maintaining high standards in all culinary operations.

Overview

25
years of professional experience
3
Certification

Work History

Aramark, Auburn University

Executive Chef
01.2022 - Current

Job overview

  • Company Overview: A global provider of food services, facilities management, and uniform services
  • Lead and manage kitchen staff and bake shop staff including line cooks and sous chefs to ensure high-quality food preparation for commissary, executive high level catered events for attendance as high as 5K and tailgate concessions including up to 16K meals per game
  • Responsible for a budget of $10M+
  • Oversee daily operations such as scheduling and inventory management while adhering strictly to health regulations
  • Design innovative menus that reflect customer preferences; incorporate new techniques for menu freshness
  • Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
  • Maintained a safe and sanitary work environment, adhering to health department standards and regulations.
  • Increased customer satisfaction by creating innovative and diverse menus tailored to various dietary needs.
  • Maximized profitability by effectively managing food costs through portion control and minimizing waste.
  • Developed custom menus for clients with specific dietary restrictions or preferences, ensuring their utmost satisfaction during their dining experience.

Bomber's Bistro and B50 Brew

Executive Chef and Restaurant Manager
11.2018 - 11.2021

Job overview

  • Company Overview: A restaurant serving military families stationed at Minot Air Force Base, known for its culinary offerings.
  • Managed all aspects of restaurant operations across two sites with a focus on maintaining high culinary standards
  • Conducted regular evaluations of staff performance fostering a positive work environment through feedback
  • Increased annual sales by $1.5M by developing creative menu items aligned with customer interests
  • Oversaw business operations, inventory control, and customer service for restaurant.
  • Developed strong relationships with vendors, negotiating competitive prices on ingredients and supplies.
  • Managed kitchen staff for efficient food production, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality dishes.
  • Spearheaded kitchen renovations to optimize workflow efficiency without compromising quality or safety standards.
  • Implemented staff training programs to improve culinary skills, teamwork, and overall productivity.
  • Implemented special events promotions such as steak nights and daily limited specials to attract new clientele and boost sales revenues.
  • Fostered a positive working environment among kitchen team members that encouraged collaboration, creativity, and open communication.

Route 16 and Café Chico's

Chef and Restaurant Manager
08.2015 - 09.2018

Job overview

  • Company Overview: A dining establishment serving military families stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan offering a variety of culinary options
  • Led comprehensive training programs for staff focusing on safety protocols ensuring compliance with food safety guidelines
  • Developed cost-effective recipes aligning with budget constraints while sourcing quality ingredients competitively
  • Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
  • Optimized food preparation processes, implementing time-saving techniques without compromising quality.
  • Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
  • Reduced food waste with strategic menu planning and inventory control techniques.
  • Prepared meals from scratch using authentic, popular recipes to generate repeat business.
  • Upheld stringent food safety regulations, ensuring compliance with all relevant health department guidelines.
  • Monitored line processes to maintain consistency in quality, quantity, and presentation.
  • Maintained high standards of cleanliness and organization in kitchen, passing all health inspections with excellent ratings.

Lakeside Behavioral Health System

Sous Chef
05.2013 - 01.2015

Job overview

  • Company Overview: A healthcare facility providing mental health services, including dietary management
  • Assisted executive chef in managing four kitchens emphasizing dietary needs within menu planning processes
  • Strict adherence to guidelines and recipes as required for dietary needs
  • Managed food preparation tasks during high-volume service periods, ensuring all orders were executed in a timely manner without sacrificing quality or presentation standards.
  • Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
  • Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
  • Managed inventory levels effectively, resulting in reduced food waste and cost savings for the establishment.
  • Played a key role in achieving positive health inspection results by maintaining strict compliance with all relevant guidelines and regulations throughout daily operations.
  • Provided exceptional customer service when addressing guest concerns or special dietary requests, building loyalty among returning clientele.
  • Assisted in budget planning and cost management efforts, helping the establishment maintain profitability without sacrificing quality or service standards.
  • Maintained strict adherence to dietary restrictions, crafting creative alternatives that catered to diverse customer needs.

Papasota Restaurante Cafe Mexicano

Sous Chef
02.2007 - 03.2012

Job overview

  • Managed food preparation tasks during high-volume service periods, ensuring all orders were executed in a timely manner without sacrificing quality or presentation standards.
  • Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
  • Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
  • Collaborated with executive chef to develop innovative menu items, leading to increased guest return rates and positive reviews.
  • Increased kitchen productivity by optimizing workflow processes and delegating tasks appropriately within the team.
  • Ensured consistent quality control of all dishes leaving the kitchen, resulting in a reputation for excellence among patrons.
  • Plated every dish with attractive flair to meet strict restaurant standards and maintain stellar business reputation.

Education

L'Ecole Culinaire
Cordova, TN

Associates Degree from Culinary & Restaurant Management
02.2014

University Overview

GPA: 4.0

2 Mars 1934
Tabarka, Tunisia

Bachelor of Science from Experimental Science
06.1997

Skills

  • Strong Mise En Place Practices and Efficient Knife Techniques
  • Menu Planning and Development Skills
  • Inventory management and Cost control
  • Strong work ethic
  • Team leadership
  • Safe food handling and Sanitation standards
  • Catering, fine dining and events

Accomplishments

  • Awarded Blue Scarf in 2013for being top of my culinary class.
  • Prepared over 5 thousand meals, including appetizers and desserts, for a single high-volume catering event.
  • Recognized for improving operations at every location I have worked.
  • Selected to create and prepare unique dishes for private parties with well-known celebrities.
  • Supervised team of 35 staff members.
  • Used Microsoft Excel to develop tracking spreadsheets.
  • Designed whole new menu, including meal selections, beverages and pricing.

Certification

  • ServSafe Food Handler's Certification
  • Certified Executive Chef (CEC) - American Culinary Federation (ACF)
  • Specialty Certification - Personal Executive Chef American Culinary Federation (ACF)
  • Certified Executive Pastry Chef - American Culinary Federation (ACF) expected April 2025

Languages

English
Full Professional
French
Native or Bilingual
Arabic
Native or Bilingual
German
Full Professional
Italian
Limited Working

Affiliations

  • American Culinary Federation - Member
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference

Work Type

Full Time

Work Location

On-Site

Important To Me

Personal development programsWork-life balancePaid time off

Software

Microsoft Office

Kronos

Paymentnet

Aloha

FoodTrak

Caterese

Catertrak

Timeline

Executive Chef

Aramark, Auburn University
01.2022 - Current

Executive Chef and Restaurant Manager

Bomber's Bistro and B50 Brew
11.2018 - 11.2021

Chef and Restaurant Manager

Route 16 and Café Chico's
08.2015 - 09.2018

Sous Chef

Lakeside Behavioral Health System
05.2013 - 01.2015

Sous Chef

Papasota Restaurante Cafe Mexicano
02.2007 - 03.2012

L'Ecole Culinaire

Associates Degree from Culinary & Restaurant Management

2 Mars 1934

Bachelor of Science from Experimental Science
Sami Selmi