Sara Zucca
Oceanside,CA
Summary
Catering Chef and Personal Assistant providing reliable kitchen and event support. Prepare custom menus, ensure compliance with food safety standards, and optimize prep workstation setups. Coordinate vendors and tailor recipes for allergies, dietary needs, and client preferences.
Overview
3
3
Languages
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Catering Chef
Artesana Catering
Oceanside, CA
10.2019 - Current
- Prepared custom catering menus for Artesana Catering events.
- Developed custom menus, coordinated food supply orders, and tracked budgets to ensure successful catering events.
- Built and maintained relationships with local vendors to source fresh, quality ingredients at cost-effective prices.
- Inspected ingredient freshness and managed stock rotation to maintain quality for daily catering.
- Set up workstations with ingredients and tools to support efficient prep work.
- Prepared tasty dishes using popular recipes to keep patrons satisfied and encourage return business.
- Tailored recipes to meet dietary needs and preferences, enhancing guest satisfaction.
- Worked with wait staff on patron food allergies and dietary restrictions.
- Managed hot and cold food stations during off-site service.
- Reviewed recipes to calculate menu prices based on food, labor, and overhead costs.
- Helped management stay on top of supply needs by sharing information about low or spoiled inventory.
- Communicated effectively with wait staff regarding patron food allergies and dietary restrictions.
- Prepared workstations with ingredients and tools to increase efficiency.
- Built and managed relationships with local vendors to obtain fresh, quality ingredients at cost-effective prices.
- Chopped and diced vegetables and fruits to stock fridge ahead of busy periods.
- Analyzed recipes to determine menu prices based on cost of food, labor and overhead.
- Finalized banquet configurations by conducting thorough inspections with clients prior to event start.
- Coordinated food service stations and venue accommodations, including setup, and tear-down of furniture and equipment per customer guidelines.
- Successfully serviced events through collaboration with establishment managers by securing venue and scheduling adequate personnel.
- Assessed quality control measures implemented by kitchen staff during preparation of meals for catered functions.
- Resolved any customer complaints or grievances arising from the quality or taste of food served at catered functions.
- Planned ingredient lists and purchase orders for off-site kitchens.
- Trained kitchen staff on plating, portioning, and service standards.
- Planned seating arrangements according to number of guests attending each catered event.
- Organized storage areas for food items purchased for catering services in accordance with health standards.
- Provided guidance to staff regarding kitchen operations, equipment use, and safety protocols during catering events.
- Maintained accurate records related to food purchases and expenses associated with each catering event.
- Performed regular maintenance checks on kitchen equipment used during catered functions.
- Monitored temperatures of prepared food and cold-storage areas.
Personal Assistant and Private Chef
Independent Employer
Dana Point and sorrounded areas
01.2019 - Current
- Managed calendars, appointments, and travel for independent contractors.
- Completed errands to streamline daily operations, allowing employer to focus on pressing duties.
- Managed household inventory and maintenance schedules.
- Handled phone calls, messages, and follow-ups with discretion
- Arranged meetings, calendars, and vendor appointments for independent employer
- Coordinated personal tasks, household management, and event preparations to enhance organizational flow.
- Maintained confidentiality while assisting independent employer with daily operations
- Organized travel arrangements, including flights, transportation, and accommodation.
Line Cook
Kimpton Hotels
Bozeman, MT
05.2022 - 07.2022
- Maintained cleanliness of cooking and refrigeration equipment to minimize food safety risks. Helped maintain sanitation and reduce food safety risks.
- Restocked food items throughout shift to keep ingredients ready for cooking and service.
- Followed safe food handling practices and maintained proper food temperatures to support health inspection standards.
- Prepared workstations with needed ingredients, utensils, and cooking equipment.
- Operated fryers and grills according to instructions to support safe, quality food production.
- Prepared dishes in afast-paced environment, collaborating with teammates to deliver excellent customer service.
- Followed portion guidelines and presentation standards.
- Prepared mise en place for daily service and banquet events.
- Followed Kimpton Hotels' recipes and plating standards for consistent presentation.
- Monitored food quality and temperature during service periods.
Juice Bar Attendant
Art of Fitness
Laguna Beach, CA
08.2018 - 09.2019
- Described menu items to customers and suggested products based on stated preferences.
- Increased sales by promoting add-on items and supporting beverage menu orders.
- Followed health codes, food safety rules, and cleanliness procedures throughout service.
- Monitored inventory levels and ordered fresh produce, supplies, and packaging materials to maintain optimal stock.
- Stored food in designated areas, wrapped items, dated stock, and ensured compliance with food safety rotation procedures.
Sales Associate and Translator
Global Heat Transfer
Antofagasta , Chile
01.2009 - 12.2013
- Promoted global heat transfer solutions through targeted in-person and phone sales efforts.
- Followed up with clients to clarify pricing, confirm availability, and detail product specifications.
- Updated customer records in sales systems to ensure accurate tracking of client interactions.
Education
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts And Foods
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA05-2019
Cooking Course - Peruvian Cooking
Le Cordon Bleu
Lima, Peru.11-2016
Associate of Science - English- Spanish Translation
Universidad Arturo Prat
Antofagasta, Chile05-2012
Skills
- Kitchen Organization
- Problem-Solving
- Task Prioritization
- Food Preparation
- Recipe Creation
- Attention to Detail
- Task prioritization
- Special Event Cooking
- Team collaboration
- Event management
- Buffet presentation
- Food presentation
- Sanitation practices
- Food preparation
- Ingredient pairing
- Waste reduction
- Recipe creation
- Client collaboration
- Nutrition
- Problem solving
- Food safety
- Inventory control
- Detail orientation
- Problem solving
- Client confidentiality
- Menu planning
- Communication skills
- Multitasking skills
- Vendor coordination
- Complex Problem-solving
- Ingredient sourcing
- Team leadership
- Resourceful
- Household management
- Strong work ethic
- Fluent in Spanish
Languages
- Spanish
- English
- Portuguese
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Portuguese
Limited
Timeline
Line Cook
Kimpton Hotels
05.2022 - 07.2022
Catering Chef
Artesana Catering
10.2019 - Current
Personal Assistant and Private Chef
Independent Employer
01.2019 - Current
Juice Bar Attendant
Art of Fitness
08.2018 - 09.2019
Sales Associate and Translator
Global Heat Transfer
01.2009 - 12.2013
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts And Foods
Saddleback College
Cooking Course - Peruvian Cooking
Le Cordon Bleu
Associate of Science - English- Spanish Translation
Universidad Arturo Prat