Thomas Walter Forte
Newberry,SC
Summary
Experienced with food safety regulations, inventory management, and customer satisfaction. Utilizes team leadership and organizational skills to ensure streamlined operations and high standards of service. Track record of maintaining cleanliness, quality control, and efficient workflow in foodservice settings.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Deli Manager
The Fresh Market
05.2023 - 09.2025
Line Chef
Crooked Oak Tavern
01.2022 - 03.2023
- Responsible for processing all proteins and prepping for service. Created nightly features and specialized sauces. Responsible for making stocks. Trained new personnel.
Produce dept Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Food Lion
04.2021 - 02.2022
- Responsible for control, sanitation and production of fresh cut fruit program. Subject matter expert and trainer.
Head Chef/Kitchen Manager
Crooked Oak Tavern
08.2018 - 07.2019
- Head chef for an innovative, farm-to-table restaurant. Worked with local farmers and other family-owned businesses to provide high quality, seasonal food for guests. Lead menu creation for special events, i.e.: wine tastings and bourbon tastings. Continuously monitored and controlled food costs and food safety. Conducted staff interviews, hiring, and training of new employees. Won Judge's Choice award for the Champion Autism Network, Inc. "Night of Champions" fundraiser in January 2019. Featured in Southern Carolina Woman Magazine, January 2019.
Sous Chef
Thoroughbreds LLC
07.2015 - 08.2018
- Preparation of all menu items and the creation of daily features. Fabrication of all meats and fish. Ordering of all food items. Responsible for all prep of sous-vide items and cooking and maintaining at proper temperature. Maintaining DHEC scores of 97 or above. Management of all restaurant staff.
Prep Cook
Croissants Bistro and Bakery
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Duties include line production prep for breakfast, lunch and some dinner items, and all catering. Responsible for checking in orders and rotating and organizing dry storage, coolers and freezer.
Lead Line Cook
Grande Dune Members Club
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Responsible for daily preparation of all menu items, banquet menus, and specials, maintaining cleanliness standards, and training and managing personnel.
Cook/Kitchen Supervisor
Prince Creek Diner
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Duties include general line production and supervision, preparation of all food items, including scratch made soups and sauces.
Sous Chef
Vidalia's at the Sheraton
01.2006 - 01.2008
- Involved in all aspects of hotel restaurant management duties including scheduling, ordering, and menu planning for Vidalia's restaurant, as well as hotel functions for parties of up to 1000+ people. Responsible for maintaining and improving food quality and sanitation standards and keeping daily logs for quarterly sanitation audits for Eco-Sure.
Sous Chef
Chef Oliver's Lodge
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Responsibilities included delegation of duties to kitchen employees regarding general food preparation. Menu creation including nightly features, maintaining DHEC scores of 97 or above, involved in developing catering packages.
Education
No Degree - Culinary Arts
Horry Georgetown Technical College
Conway, SC01-1994
Commercial Art - undefined
Lander College
01-1991
High School Diploma - General Studies
Newberry High School
Newberry, SC06-1988
Skills
- Customer service
- Customer engagement
- Food preparation
- Employee supervision
- Sanitation standards
- Health and safety regulations
- Food safety compliance
- Inventory management
- Menu planning
- Cost controls
- Catering services
- Customer complaint handling
Certification
- Driver's License
- Food Handler Certification
- ServSafe
- First Aid Certification
- Food Safety Certification
- HACCP Certification
- Food handler certificate
Languages
Interpretation
English
Timeline
Assistant Deli Manager
The Fresh Market
05.2023 - 09.2025
Line Chef
Crooked Oak Tavern
01.2022 - 03.2023
Produce dept Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Food Lion
04.2021 - 02.2022
Head Chef/Kitchen Manager
Crooked Oak Tavern
08.2018 - 07.2019
Sous Chef
Thoroughbreds LLC
07.2015 - 08.2018
Prep Cook
Croissants Bistro and Bakery
01.2014 - 01.2015
Lead Line Cook
Grande Dune Members Club
01.2011 - 01.2013
Cook/Kitchen Supervisor
Prince Creek Diner
01.2008 - 01.2010
Sous Chef
Vidalia's at the Sheraton
01.2006 - 01.2008
Sous Chef
Chef Oliver's Lodge
01.2005 - 01.2006
Commercial Art - undefined
Lander College
No Degree - Culinary Arts
Horry Georgetown Technical College
High School Diploma - General Studies
Newberry High School