STEPHEN KEFFER
tacoma
Summary
Talented Cook with excellent experience in fast-paced kitchen environments. Clear communicator with team-oriented focus and advanced skills to effectively work with cashiers and kitchen staff to review and prepare orders. Qualified and hardworking with up-to-date food handling permit.
Talented kitchen leader and team motivator successful at maintaining staff focus and productivity in high-volume, fast-paced operations. Experienced with sourcing ingredients, controlling budgets and boosting restaurant profiles.
Demonstrates strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Eager to contribute to team success and further develop professional skills. Brings positive attitude and commitment to continuous learning and growth.
Pursuing full-time role that presents professional challenges and leverages interpersonal skills, effective time management, and problem-solving expertise.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
cook
the Lobster Shop
07.2024 - Current
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening to maximize productivity.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
Cook
Top of Tacoma
08.2022 - 04.2024
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Communicated closely with servers to fully understand special orders for customers.
Bartender and Server
Dustys Hideaway
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Handled simultaneous customer, team, and business needs while avoiding unnecessary delays or errors.
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Kept bar presentable and well-stocked to meet customer needs.
- Organized bar inventory and storage procedures to keep stock within optimal levels and meet expected customer demands.
Lead Cook
Old Soul Co.
02.2017 - 07.2022
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Inspected freezer and refrigerator daily to check and maintain proper temperatures.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Prioritized and re-prioritized kitchen tasks based on fluctuating demands.
- Coordinated line cook break schedules to avoid delays during busy periods and maintain adequate coverage.
Cook/Bartender/Bouncer
Cafe Colonial
02.2012 - 07.2022
- Took food orders from cashiers and cooked items quickly to complete order items together and serve hot.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Obtained cash bank and stocked service bar to prepare for operation.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing excessive guest intoxication.
- Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
- Furnished patrons with ticket stubs, wrist bands and hand stamps to denote rightful admission.
- Ejected unruly patrons from premises.
- Monitored, guarded and patrolled premises to prevent infractions of rules, theft and violence.
- Checked IDs and closely examined patrons' faces to verify age.
Cook
Paragarys
02.2018 - 11.2018
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Communicated closely with servers to fully understand special orders for customers.
Cook
The Monk's Cellar Brewery and Public House
09.2014 - 02.2017
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Took food orders from cashiers and cooked items quickly to complete order items together and serve hot.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Communicated closely with servers to fully understand special orders for customers.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
Driver
Blue Eagle Contracting
02.2011 - 06.2014
- Completed routine pre- and post-trip inspections to evaluate vehicles and assess maintenance needs.
- Delivered goods and products to customer on time and in excellent condition.
- Cleaned and maintained vehicle and assessed vehicle for damage after each shift.
- Coordinated efficient routes to avoid delays and optimize schedules.
- Kept detailed mileage and fuel reports to track overall fuel costs.
Education
High school or equivalent -
Lindhurst High School
06.2009
Skills
- Contamination prevention
- Ingredients measuring
- Sauteing
- Frying
- Product replenishing
- Logistics scheduling
- Maintaining product levels
- Inventory counts
- Cost reduction strategies
- Product availability research
- Order processing
- Stock rotation
Timeline
cook
the Lobster Shop
07.2024 - Current
Bartender and Server
Dustys Hideaway
07.2023 - 12.2023
Cook
Top of Tacoma
08.2022 - 04.2024
Cook
Paragarys
02.2018 - 11.2018
Lead Cook
Old Soul Co.
02.2017 - 07.2022
Cook
The Monk's Cellar Brewery and Public House
09.2014 - 02.2017
Cook/Bartender/Bouncer
Cafe Colonial
02.2012 - 07.2022
Driver
Blue Eagle Contracting
02.2011 - 06.2014
High school or equivalent -
Lindhurst High School
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