Tabitha Criswell
Louisville,KY
Summary
Culinary professional with a strong focus on menu development, food safety, and high-volume operations. Demonstrates reliability and teamwork, enhancing dining experiences through effective staff supervision and quality control. Committed to maintaining exceptional standards while fostering a positive work environment.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Cook
NexDine
Louisville, Kentucky
2025.10 - Current
- Coordinated meal service during peak hours to maintain high-quality dining experiences.
- Supervised staff in daily kitchen duties, including prepping ingredients, cooking meals, and cleaning up after service.
- Monitored quality of all cooked items throughout the day to guarantee high standards were maintained.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations during food handling processes.
- Oversaw food preparation processes to ensure that orders were completed accurately and efficiently.
- Managed specialized menu orders to tailor dining experiences and address individual customer preferences.
- Developed and maintained menus aligning with nutritional standards and guest preferences.
- Developed menus for special events and catering services according to customer specifications.
- Modified standard recipes to address customer requests for substitutions or allergen concerns.
- Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
Sous Chef
Levy
Louisville, Kentucky
2023.06 - 2025.09
- Streamlined kitchen operations by supervising staff, enhancing food preparation efficiency and service quality.
- Directed kitchen staff in day-to-day operations including food production, sanitation, safety practices, and personnel management.
- Collaborated with Executive Chef to create innovative dishes for special events.
- Implemented standard operating procedures for food preparation processes.
- Trained new kitchen team members on culinary techniques and safety protocols.
- Directed kitchen staff in daily operations, ensuring effective food production, sanitation, safety practices, and personnel management.
- Collaborated with Executive Chef to develop innovative dishes, elevating dining experience for special events.
- Monitored adherence to health and safety regulations within kitchen environments.
- Enhanced kitchen skills of team members to ensure food quality and safety. on culinary techniques.
- Coordinated ordering, receiving, storage, and distribution of food items.
- Complied with all health department regulations regarding proper food handling methods.
Head Chef
Four Pegs
Louisville, Kentucky
2018.07 - 2023.07
- Managed and scheduled 10+ employees to ensure efficient kitchen operations
- Create and execute new recipes/ specials/seasonal menus
- Coordinated events to deliver seamless culinary experiences
- Oversaw catering logistics to enhance client satisfaction
- Perform in a high volume establishment
- Maintained accurate inventory records to support operations
- Open/closing duties without requiring supervision or direction
- Hold staff meetings
- Daily sales to labor percentages
- Menu Pairings
Manager
Spinelli's
Louisville, Kentucky
2015.04 - 2018.09
- Greeted guests, delivering exceptional customer service to foster a welcoming atmosphere.
- Handled deliveries and dine-in orders, maintaining order accuracy and speed of service.
- Ensured timely food service to enhance guest experience while prepping select dishes.
- Open/closing duties without requiring supervision or direction
- Operate register and direct money handling.
- Processed daily checkout procedures accurately.
- Maintained organization of work area to ensure efficiency at all times
- Perform in a high volume late night establishment
sous chef
Ciao
2016.01 - 2018.01
- Executed high-quality service in a high-volume dining establishment, ensuring guest satisfaction.
- Focused on presentation details to elevate dish appeal and enhance dining experience.
- Refined culinary techniques during service preparation and execution.
- Created complementary drink pairings for menu items, improving overall guest satisfaction.
- Work as a team with all employees and kitchen staff.
- Maintain a clean work environment at all times.
Lead Line cook
Molly Malones
2014.01 - 2016.01
- Performed in high-volume establishment independently
- Prepared ingredients for cooking in a timely manner.
- Maintained cleanliness of work area to meet health standards.
- Ensure food safety and quality
- Created complementary menu pairings to elevate dining experience.
Education
High School Diploma -
DuPont Manual Highschool
2014-06
Skills
- Food safety compliance
- Sanitation practices
- Quality control
- Catering logistics
- Menu design
- Recipe development
- Recipe modification
- Culinary creativity
- Fast-paced cooking
- Batch cooking techniques
- Ingredient preparation
- Kitchen operations
- Kitchen organization
- Inventory management
- Operational efficiency
- Staff management
- Staff training
- Task delegation
- Time management
- Team collaboration
- Customer service
- Dietary accommodations
- Spoilage prevention
- Food presentation
Personal Information
Title: Chef
EVENTS/ PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- 2015/2018-2023 Louder than life
- 2018-2022 Tailspin Ale Fest
- 2018-2019 Peep fest
- 2018-2022 Forecastle
- 2018-2023 Bourbon and beyond
- 2019 Louisville chili cook off
- 2019 Hometown rising
- 2019-2023 Food truck fest
- 2019-2023 Waterfront Wednesday
- 2019-2023 Kentucky Derby
- 2021-2023 Tase for Life
- 2021-2023 Bourbon and Bowties
- 2021 Pop up at riot cafe (first woman to do so)
- 2021-2022 Fox hallow farms/ Soulstivas
- 2021-2023 Lynn family stadium event
- 2022 Kentucky state fair chef special
- 2022 Moody tongue private dinner
- 2023-2024 Mesa private dining show
- 2025 Buy local fest cooking competition
- 2023-2025 North American Internal Livestock Convention
- 2023-2025 Farm and Machinery Show
- 2023-2025 Kentucky State Fair
Timeline
Lead Cook
NexDine
2025.10 - Current
Sous Chef
Levy
2023.06 - 2025.09
Head Chef
Four Pegs
2018.07 - 2023.07
sous chef
Ciao
2016.01 - 2018.01
Manager
Spinelli's
2015.04 - 2018.09
Lead Line cook
Molly Malones
2014.01 - 2016.01
High School Diploma -
DuPont Manual Highschool