Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic

Tamarra Gaines

Food Service Director
Baltimore,MD

Summary

Professional food service leader with strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Proven track record in managing kitchen operations, optimizing inventory, and ensuring top-quality customer service. Skilled in staff training, menu planning, and adapting to changing needs. Known for reliability, flexibility, and results-driven approach.

Overview

31
31
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification

Work History

Food Service Director

Health Care Services Group, Inc.
06.2024 - Current
  • Oversaw daily operations in the kitchen, ensuring timely meal preparation and delivery for large-scale events or busy dining periods.
  • Managed budgets effectively, controlling costs through efficient inventory management and supplier negotiations.
  • Maintained high standards of cleanliness and sanitation, ensuring compliance with all health department regulations.
  • Monitored food quality and freshness during all stages of preparation, storage, and service to ensure consistently excellent dining experiences for guests.
  • Improved customer satisfaction by implementing new menu options and providing excellent food presentation.
  • Coordinated catering services for special events such as weddings or corporate functions, planning menus tailored specifically to client preferences while managing logistical aspects such as staffing requirements or equipment rentals.
  • Maintained sound financial footing by overseeing department profit, loss and budgeting.
  • Optimized workflow processes by analyzing data on staff performance, customer feedback, and sales trends to make informed decisions about staffing levels and work schedules.

Food Service Director

Trinity Services Group
08.2014 - 06.2022
  • Maintain all day to day operations of food service at 2200 capacity correctional facility; Enforce compliance in regards to HACCP and OSHA requirements; Provide cross-functional support; Perform extensive inventory control monitoring, audited supply levels, maintain records to aid in efficient operations and facilitated purchasing.
  • Supervise all personnel in the performance of their daily duties; assist in maintaining internal security for cafeteria; Work with inmate representative committee to resolve problems and complaints. Responsible for the accurate preparation of all food orders on a weekly basis and accurate deliveries; Prepare cook's work sheet in accordance with department of corrections master menu and maintain records for a 5-year period.
  • Supervise inmates in preparing food such as peeling, chopping, grinding, paring, and dicing; Weigh, measure, and assemble ingredients for regular and modified menu items; Operate a variety of kitchen equipment which utilizes gas, electric, steam or microwave heat sources.

Food Service Director/In2Work Coordinator, District

ARAMARK
07.2008 - 08.2014
  • Maintain all day to day operations of food service at 900+ capacity correctional facility; Establish and maintain systems and procedures for the ordering, receiving, storing, preparing and serving of food and related products; Coordinate unit forecast and unit accounting process; Ensure the requirements for appropriate sanitation and safety levels in respective areas are met.
  • Supervise unit personnel regarding production, quality and cost control; Oversee labor scheduling, staffing; Conduct inventory and records management audits to comply with government and accrediting agency standards.
  • Proctored, organize, train and administer the Serv Safe certification exam to a large staff of inmates, and hourly employees, both full-time and part-time; Thorough familiarity with regards to Serv Safe, HACCP, and OSHA requirements; and all phases of sanitation and food preparation
  • Prepare food by peeling, chopping, grinding, paring, and dicing; Weigh, measure, and assemble ingredients for regular and modified menu items; Operate a variety of kitchen equipment which utilizes gas, electric, steam or microwave heat sources.

Shift Supervisor

Chartwells
01.2008 - 12.2013
  • Maintained all day to day operations of Food Service at Towson State University
  • Work with students to determine their needs and priorities. Identified problems, diagnosed causes and determined corrective actions.
  • Coordinate and Supervise units personnel, regarding production, quality and cost control as well a labor scheduling staffing and employee training.
  • Assisted with weekly inventory, payroll and weekly financials reports.
  • Enforce company compliance in regards to HACCP and OSHA requirements.

Assistant Food Service Director

Canteen
06.2005 - 07.2008
  • Managed daily food service operations at 2200 capacity facility. Enforced compliance with HACCP and OSHA standards. Provided cross-functional support and facilitated accounts payable, receivable, and payroll. Conducted inventory control, audited supplies, and maintained records for efficient purchasing.
  • Resolved client complaints and inquiries proactively while focusing on superior customer service. Collaborated with clients to identify needs and priorities. Diagnosed problems and determined corrective actions.
  • Supervised inmates in routine manual tasks including grocery handling, cleaning, and tray delivery. Oversaw inmate crews in trayline transport and ingredient preparation while ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
  • Coordinated unit personnel for production, quality, cost control, labor scheduling, and employee training. Monitored employee performance continuously and generated reports; provided coaching to align operations with goals.
  • Adhered to security policies ensuring all kitchen tools and equipment returned securely. Maintained locked storage areas at all times.

Assistant Banquet Manager

Lowes Hotel
06.1994 - 06.2005
  • Maintained all day to day operations food service operation.
  • Consulted with clients to determine their needs and priorities. Identified problems, diagnosed causes and determined corrective actions.
  • Coordinate and Supervise units personnel, regarding production, quality and cost control as well a labor scheduling staffing and employee training
  • Conduct weekly meetings with banquet staff

Education

CERTIFICATION -

Baltimore County Community College
Baltimore, MD
01.1994

Skills

  • Food service management
  • Operations management expertise
  • Proficient in sanitation protocols and standards
  • Nutritional expertise
  • Customer service
  • Payroll
  • Accounts receivable management
  • Student engagement experience
  • Retail management
  • Restaurant experience
  • HACCP
  • Document organization
  • Accounts payable

Certification

ServSafe

FSM

FPM

Food Allergens Essentials

Food Handlers Essentials

Additional Information

  • SKILLS Self-motivated and dedicated food service leader with 14 years of relevant experience working within food services environments. Highlighted leadership qualities and abilities to work with individuals from varying backgrounds within a correctional services environment while promoting team values. Considerable knowledge of bookkeeping, budgeting, quantity food preparation and services, occupational hazards and safety rules/regulations, standards of sanitation used in food service operations, and numbers and types of workers needed to staff a large food service operation. Driven leader eager to leverage extensive management experience in a challenging environment.
  • COMPUTER SKILLS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Office, Outlook, Access, Typing 40 wpm

Timeline

Food Service Director

Health Care Services Group, Inc.
06.2024 - Current

Food Service Director

Trinity Services Group
08.2014 - 06.2022

Food Service Director/In2Work Coordinator, District

ARAMARK
07.2008 - 08.2014

Shift Supervisor

Chartwells
01.2008 - 12.2013

Assistant Food Service Director

Canteen
06.2005 - 07.2008

Assistant Banquet Manager

Lowes Hotel
06.1994 - 06.2005

CERTIFICATION -

Baltimore County Community College

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