Theresa Poplaski
Ocklawaha,FL
Summary
Dynamic Kitchen Manager at The Villages Charter School, recognized for enhancing kitchen efficiency and reducing food waste through effective inventory management. Proven ability in food safety and exceptional customer service, fostering a collaborative team environment while consistently achieving high health inspection scores. Committed to delivering high-quality dishes and exceptional dining experiences.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Kitchen Manager
The Villages Charter School
08.2010 - Current
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to all health department regulations and guidelines.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Mentored and trained new team members, fostering a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
- Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
- Reduced food waste by closely monitoring inventory levels and implementing proper food storage techniques.
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen team and service areas for optimal guest experiences.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Consistently met or exceeded local health department inspection requirements through diligent adherence to safety protocols and maintaining thorough documentation records.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by implementing streamlined processes and optimizing staff scheduling.
- Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
- Developed and implemented kitchen policies and procedures to establish clear guidelines for kitchen operations and comply with regulations.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with attentiveness to dietary restrictions and allergen concerns in menu offerings.
- Implemented and maintained food safety and sanitation standards to establish safe handling and preparation of food.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
- Contributed to a positive workplace culture by actively engaging with staff members, promoting open communication channels, and demonstrating support for ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Reviewed and analyzed kitchen performance to verify gaps and observe continuous improvement.
- Increased overall profitability with effective budget management, including cost control strategies for purchasing and labor expenses.
- Designed and maintained menus to offer variety of high quality and consistency of dishes.
- Developed and maintained professional relationships with suppliers to acquire high-quality ingredients and products with reasonable prices.
- Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and reduce waste.
- Calculated prices of ingredients to monitor food costs and control expenses.
- Fostered a collaborative working environment among diverse teams of chefs, line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, and other support staff.
- Developed strong vendor relationships for consistent delivery of high-quality ingredients at competitive prices.
- Evaluated employee performance regularly, addressing any skill gaps or growth opportunities through ongoing training initiatives.
- Facilitated special event catering coordination, ensuring timely preparation of high-quality dishes while adhering to client specifications.
- Developed creative daily specials using seasonal ingredients, incorporating fresh flavors into the menu rotation while minimizing costs associated with excess inventory stockpiling.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations for direct reports to help identify areas for improvement as well as recognizing successes and contributions.
- Streamlined kitchen operations through regular equipment maintenance checks, minimizing downtime due to malfunctions or repairs.
- Utilized advanced culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes that delighted guests while maintaining the highest of quality standards.
- Boosted team morale and performance through effective leadership and training programs.
- Resolved conflicts within kitchen team promptly, maintaining positive and productive work environment.
- Collaborated with management to develop strategies for increasing restaurant profitability.
- Developed and maintained high standard of kitchen hygiene, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Fostered culture of continuous improvement, encouraging staff to contribute ideas for operational enhancements.
- Maintained meticulous records of health inspections, consistently achieving high scores.
- Streamlined ordering process, minimizing errors and increasing kitchen productivity.
- Created diverse and appealing menu, catering to wide range of dietary preferences and allergies.
- Reduced food waste significantly, carefully managing inventory and implementing sustainability practices.
- Implemented effective inventory control systems to reduce food spoilage and waste.
- Purchased food and cultivated strong vendor relationships.
- Enhanced financial controls to minimize theft and loss risks, continuously maintaining accurate accounts and cash drawers.
- Reduced inaccuracies by carefully counting cash and keeping meticulous records of transactions.
- Inspected equipment and machinery for proper working condition and directed staff to clean and repair as needed.
- Reduced health risks and safety hazards by preparing beverage products consistently while creating cleaning schedules, restocking items and sanitizing equipment to adhere to health department standards.
Education
Leesburg High
Leesburg, FL05-1993
Skills
- Multitasking and organization
- Customer service
- Food safety
- Inventory management
Timeline
Kitchen Manager
The Villages Charter School
08.2010 - Current
Leesburg High
Similar Profiles
Irene CumbaIrene Cumba
Elementary School Teacher at The Villages Charter SchoolElementary School Teacher at The Villages Charter School
Angela D CreachAngela D Creach
Elementary School Nurse at The Villages Charter SchoolElementary School Nurse at The Villages Charter School
Natasha CorporonNatasha Corporon
RtI Specialist at The Villages Charter SchoolRtI Specialist at The Villages Charter School
Blake CannonBlake Cannon
Restaurant Team Member at Wendys Fast FoodRestaurant Team Member at Wendys Fast Food
Katrina WelcomeKatrina Welcome
Safety Coordinator at Marion County School BoardSafety Coordinator at Marion County School Board