Chef Steven Medina
Santa Ana,CA
Summary
Dedicated chef known for culinary expertise and effective staff training. Delivered exceptional dining experiences by implementing seasonal menu changes and managing dietary needs, ensuring customer satisfaction in high-pressure settings.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Chef
The Walt Disney Company (Park Restaurants)
Anaheim
08.2022 - Current
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of kitchen workstations and equipment.
- Oversee operations serving thousands of guests per day with restaurants generating $100,000 daily.
- Maintain strict food safety, sanitation, temperature-control, and storage standards throughout preparation, production, and service following HACCP and TPHC standards.
- Utilized proper cleaning techniques to sanitize counters and utensils used in preparation of raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Reduced food waste with strategic menu planning and inventory control techniques.
- Successfully met dietary requirements for diverse clientele by providing customized meal options upon request.
- Responded to dietary concerns and food allergies, creating dishes to meet customer needs and palates.
- Implemented seasonal menu changes, incorporating fresh ingredients and local flavors.
- Oversaw inventory management, minimizing waste while maximizing ingredient utilization.
- Led daily pre-service meetings to communicate menu highlights and special offerings.
Kitchen Lead, Park Banquets / Festivals
The Walt Disney Company
Anaheim, CA
07.2017 - 07.2022
- Led culinary operations for banquet and catering events, coordinating food production and preparation to ensure timely execution and adherence to quality standards.
- Oversee kitchen operations for events ranging from 10 to 4000 guests. adjusting staffing, production, and workflow based on event size and menu requirements.
- Manage simultaneous food production for 4-5+ events per week. ensuring dishes are prepared, held, and served according to established quality and presentation standards.
- Provide hands-on leadership during high-volume services, stepping into production and service roles as needed to maintain workflow and quality.
Lead Baker
Boudin Bakery
Anaheim, CA
07.2016 - 2018
- Supervised daily baking operations, ensuring quality and consistency in all products.
- Trained and mentored junior bakers on techniques and safety protocols.
- Implemented improved sanitation practices, maintaining a clean and safe workspace at all times.
- Led a team of bakers, fostering a positive work environment through clear communication and support.
Skills
- Culinary: High-Volume Production Banquet & Catering Menu Execution Food Presentation Portion Control Dietary & Allergen-Aware Preparation
- Leadership: Culinary Team Leadership Staff Training Scheduling Delegation Production Planning Event Coordination
- Operations: Inventory Management Ordering Food Cost Control Waste Reduction Quality Control Food Safety & Sanitation
- Technology: POS & Order Management Inventory Systems Recipe/Production Software (Crunchtime) Microsoft Excel Net-Chef, and Enterprise Manager
Timeline
Chef
The Walt Disney Company (Park Restaurants)
08.2022 - Current
Kitchen Lead, Park Banquets / Festivals
The Walt Disney Company
07.2017 - 07.2022
Lead Baker
Boudin Bakery
07.2016 - 2018