Theresa Mena Torres
San Diego,CA
Summary
Driven leader with strong problem-solving and customer service skills. Dedicated to providing highest level of service to customers and creating pleasant work environment for staff. 10+ years of experience working in a non-profit service environment for at-risk clients, including group and individual goal setting, implementing soft-skills training programs for clients, recruiting and training volunteers, and reporting regularly to organization senior management. 10+ years of food service experience, including kitchen management, development of culturally appropriate menus, training kitchen staff. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet Jewish Family Services Guiding Principles and team goals.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Shelter Dining Room Manager
- Set up and break down of Dining room
- Maintained compliant kitchen practices
- Responsible for placing food orders
- Trained volunteers for food service
- Implemented food and volunteer protocols.
Loonin Family Kitchen PM Kitchen Manager
19 Covid Relief Meals
03.2019 - Current
- In Co-ordination with Kitchen Manager Irina Kryuchkova, prepared and was part of the One Million Meals from the Loonin Family Kitchen
- Prepared, Packaged and stored Meals
- Maintained compliant kitchen practices
- Aided with Meals on the Go
- Menu Planning and Development.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams to resolve project issues and mitigate risks
Kitchen Coordinator
San Ysidro Health
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Development and preparation of menus
- Maintained HAACP-compliant kitchen practices
- Coordinating with on-site dietician
- Managing ordering, inventory, and deliveries documentation.
Program Manager
Catholic Charities of
12.2017 - 08.2018
- Interviewing clients for selection into trainee program
- Training clients in food production practices and procedures
- Management and oversight of all food production
- Managed client progress, holding regular group and individual goal-setting sessions
- Implemented soft skills training for clients
- Recruited, oriented and trained volunteers
- Management and oversight of all sales events
- Managed inventory, ordering, and production schedules
- Instituted and managed quality control procedures and standards.
Kitchen Supervisor/Chef
Casa San Juan, Catholic Charities of
07.2014 - 12.2017
- Development and preparation of menus that were in compliance with the Recommended Dietary Allowances established by the Food and Nutrition Board the US NAS/NRC, in coordination with an on-site dietician, and sensitive to cultural and religious concerns of clients
- Managing inventory
- Preparing Meals.
Kitchen Supervisor
on Wheels of
08.2013 - 07.2014
- For:
- Development and preparation of menus
- Supervising kitchen staff
- Maintaining HAACP-compliant kitchen practices
- Adherence to food service standards and procedures
- On-Site dietician interaction
Culinary Arts Program Supervisor
St. Vincent de Paul Village
04.2010 - 07.2013
- For:
- Development and preparation of menus that were in compliance with USDA Basic Food Group Plan-Daily Food Guide for Children and Adolescents
- Training clients in basic culinary skills and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Interim Food service Program Manager
04.2012 - 11.2012
- Responsible for monitoring budgets and payroll records, managing staff, and maintain government required records on sanitation and food subsidies.
Kitchen Supervisor/Cook
Joan Kroc Center and Paul Mirabelle Center
02.2011 - 04.2011
- Maintaining kitchen standards
- Overseeing clients and volunteers in helping with food service
- Monitoring all aspects of food preparation for safe handling
- Food Safety and Sanitation
- Ordering of Sysco and other purveyors for weekly food menus
- Menu development
Kitchen Cook
Toussaint Academy/ St Vincent de Paul Village
12.2009 - 02.2011
- For:
- Menu planning and development
- Food Ordering, cleaned and maintained kitchen equipment
- Prepared lunch and dinner meals
- Kept logs of food temperatures and kitchen equipment
- Inventory control
Deli Clerk/Catering Cook
Bristol Farms
01.2009 - 11.2009
- Customer Service
- Slicing of all deli, cheese and specialty Meats
- Maintained and cleaned all slicers
- Kept deli cases neat, clean and organized
- Maintained the soup and salad bar
- Re-stocked merchandise as needed daily
Program Coordinator
The Emilio Nares Foundation
05.2006 - 01.2009
- Coordinating the Health, Wellness, and Sanitation Program
- Managing menu and food preparation for the Annual Harvest for Hope fundraiser.
Line Cook
Roy's Restaurant
06.2007 - 07.2008
- Pastry department line cook, prepared all pastries to Roy's restaurant standards
- Prepped all food items for pastries
- Maintained clean and organized pastry station
- Organized pastries for special events
Education
Associate of Science - Culinary Arts, Psychology
The Art Institute of California,
San Diego, CA05.2017
Some College (No Degree) - Psychology
Attended The University of Texas El Paso
El Paso, TXSkills
- Conflict Mediation
- Bilingual/Bicultural
- Anticipating Problems
- Investigating Complaints
- Maintain Food Safety
- Customer Needs Assessments
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Leadership
- Critical Thinking
- Customer Service
- Guest Relations
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Certification
Trained/certified in food handling (Serv-Safe) CPR, Mental Health First Aid and OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety and Health Training and Non-Profit Ready.org Certificate-Becoming a Great Leader. there is a significant advantage of being fluent in the language and culture of colleagues and clients. Serv-Safe trained and certified (exp 2022, 30-hour General Industry Safety and Health (04-13-2019) CPR and First Aid Training Mental Health First Aid USA trained and certified (05-2021)
Affiliations
Member, American Culinary Federation Member, American Institute of Wine & Food2
Languages
Spanish
Timeline
Loonin Family Kitchen PM Kitchen Manager
19 Covid Relief Meals
03.2019 - Current
Kitchen Coordinator
San Ysidro Health
01.2018 - 01.2019
Program Manager
Catholic Charities of
12.2017 - 08.2018
Kitchen Supervisor/Chef
Casa San Juan, Catholic Charities of
07.2014 - 12.2017
Kitchen Supervisor
on Wheels of
08.2013 - 07.2014
Interim Food service Program Manager
04.2012 - 11.2012
Kitchen Supervisor/Cook
Joan Kroc Center and Paul Mirabelle Center
02.2011 - 04.2011
Culinary Arts Program Supervisor
St. Vincent de Paul Village
04.2010 - 07.2013
Kitchen Cook
Toussaint Academy/ St Vincent de Paul Village
12.2009 - 02.2011
Deli Clerk/Catering Cook
Bristol Farms
01.2009 - 11.2009
Line Cook
Roy's Restaurant
06.2007 - 07.2008
Program Coordinator
The Emilio Nares Foundation
05.2006 - 01.2009
Shelter Dining Room Manager
Associate of Science - Culinary Arts, Psychology
The Art Institute of California,
Some College (No Degree) - Psychology
Attended The University of Texas El Paso
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