Sara Gutierrez
Crestline,CA
Summary
Highly proactive coordinator with 6 years of team leadership experience in the hospitality industry. Background includes sales, management and customer service within fast-paced settings. Detail-oriented team player that possesses strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Current self-directed event coordinator, and personal chef, experienced in building relationships with organizational leaders, distribution representatives, employees and volunteers that help support key business initiatives for profit drivin establishments. Eager to grow and implement new ideas and systems of operations in order to work smarter and achieve organizational goals while creating positive experiences. Interested in maintaining full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving in the restaurant industry.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Events Coordinator
Crestline Chamber Of Commerce
05.2023 - Current
- Organized community events with as many as 450-800+ guests.
- Coordinated Schedules, Maps, Timelines and Systems of Operations.
- Knowledgeable with Alcohol and Beverage Control, Environmental Health Services, TFF permits, and Sheriff's Department Security Applications.
- Experienced in collecting sponsorships and donations from local institutions and businesses.
- Implemented, managed and promoted online software for event committee volunteers.
- Strategically increased social media presence and following within 75 mile radius.
- Staffed events by maintaining roster of available volunteers and reliable service providers.
- Resolved issues with chamber memberships and vendors to curate profitable events.
- Greeted patrons and participants at events to guide guests to locations and answer questions.
- Facilitated communication between office manager, chair leaders and external vendors to quickly resolve any conflicts or concerns.
- Coordinated efficient set-up and clean-up for each event for quick facilities turnarounds.
- Supervised staff during events and maintained efficient performance.
- Developed site-specific operations plans governing aspects such as traffic and waste management for events.
- Coordinated artisans, food vendors, beverage ambassadors, photographers, and musicians for events.
- Evaluated and selected service providers and vendors according to event themes.
- Reviewed event bills to confirm accuracy and approve payment.
Owner & Operator
Top Town Chef
09.2018 - 02.2023
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Set up and disassembled food service stations, equipment and furniture per contract specifications.
- Cleaned and organized kitchen stations to promote efficiency.
- Designed catering menus containing multiple food options to meet needs of diverse customer base.
- Provided friendly, courteous service to create memorable moments for guests.
- Delivered catered food and supplies to facility for on-time set-up.
- Routinely practiced federal and local kitchen safety regulations to prevent food borne illnesses.
- Researched menu options for customers with food allergies or special dietary preferences to accommodate dietary needs.
- Sourced food ingredients from local markets and suppliers to acquire items needed for preparation.
- Arranged furniture and added decorations to enhance the ambiance.
- Inspected catering equipment and utensils regularly to manage wear and tear.
- Responded to customer inquiries and resolved complaints to establish trust and increase satisfaction.
- Prepared and served meals for small dinner parties and large events while complying with dietary requests and accommodations.
- Generated invoices to request payment for services provided in client home or specifically requested locations.
- Advertised and participated in networking and social events to promote business awareness.
- Continually increased sales in 2022 by 35% from 2021.
Line Cook II
Yaamava' Casino
01.2018 - 05.2018
- Knife Skills, Time Management, Consistency, Communication.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Consolidated, wrapped and stored unused food in appropriate containers and placed in walk in refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for grilling, frying, broiling, braising and pan searing.
- Checked food temperature regularly to verify proper cooking and safety.
- Prepared and cooked meals according to recipes and customer specifications
- Followed health, safety and sanitation guidelines while preparing and serving food.
Culinary Specialist II
Moreton Fig | USC
08.2012 - 01.2018
- Proficiently trained in sauteing, roasting, braising, grilling, sauces, frying, smoking, cold foods, soups, desserts, and baking.
- Checking in product, maintaining walk-in, deep cleaning, monthly inventory, recorded food temperatures, practiced proper food handling & portion control.
- High energy environment, responsibilities in leadership, prioritization, product management, and catered special events.
- Prepared and served food to approximately 250 guests in upscale lounge restaurant.
- Participated in food tastings and taste tests.
- Worked closely with front-of-house staff to facilitate excellent customer service.
- Utilized culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes.
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
- Disciplined and dedicated to meeting high-quality standards.
- Coordinated with team members to prepare orders on time.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Operated varied kitchen equipment, observing operation guidelines to avoid accidents and prevent malfunctions.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
- Followed health, safety and sanitation guidelines while preparing and serving food.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
Education
Associates of Occupational Studies - Patisserie And Baking
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts - Pasadena
Pasadena, CA11.2010
Skills
- Leadership & Team Building
- Budget Management
- Attention to Detail
- Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Customer Engagement
- Schedule Coordination
- Customer Loyalty
- Employee Retention
- Complaint Resolution
- Food Service Background
- Organization and Prioritization
Certification
- Serve Safe Certification Expires 11/2024
- Food Protection Manager Certification Expires 11/2024
- County of San Bernardino Food Handlers Training
- Responsible Beverage Service Certified
Accomplishments
- Rat in the Kitchen Season 1 Episode 2 Contestant
- ACF Culinary Challenge Gold Medalist 2015
- ACF Culinary Challenge Silver Medalist 2016
- ACF Culinary Challenge Bronze Medalist 2017
Languages
Conversational Spanish
English
Volunteer Experience
Crestline Chamber of Commerce | 02/2022- Current
- Committee member for "Corks n Hops" revamp in 2022 resulting in a profitable summer season with over $65k in sales.
- Co-Chair committee member and planner "Duck Derby" & "Top Town Fall Festival"
- Collected over $3,000 in sponsorships for "Fall Festival" 2023
- Board of Directors Secretary 2022-2023. Recorder of minutes at all open and closed board meetings.
- Member of the social media team, increased online following and presence.
- Writer for the tourism committee's seasonal "Crestline Magazine".
Timeline
Special Events Coordinator
Crestline Chamber Of Commerce
05.2023 - Current
Owner & Operator
Top Town Chef
09.2018 - 02.2023
Line Cook II
Yaamava' Casino
01.2018 - 05.2018
Culinary Specialist II
Moreton Fig | USC
08.2012 - 01.2018
Associates of Occupational Studies - Patisserie And Baking
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts - Pasadena
Similar Profiles
David McKinleyDavid McKinley
Volunteer at Upper Tampa Bay Chamber Chamber Of CommerceVolunteer at Upper Tampa Bay Chamber Chamber Of Commerce
GERALD SCHALOWGERALD SCHALOW
President/Chief Executive Officer at Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of CommercePresident/Chief Executive Officer at Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce
Jocelyn EisenmengerJocelyn Eisenmenger
Marketing & Visitors Center Manager at Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & IndustryMarketing & Visitors Center Manager at Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Melissa LozanoMelissa Lozano
Medication Nurse at California Department of Corrections and RehabilitationMedication Nurse at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Torrie ColganTorrie Colgan
Substitute Teacher at Rim Of The World Unified School DistrictSubstitute Teacher at Rim Of The World Unified School District