Timothy Ester
Chicago,IL
Summary
Versatile Chef with vast experience preparing dishes to impress diners. Trains and develops chefs to company standards. Anticipates ingredient needs and arranges re-stock to facilitate productive kitchen flow and uphold business standards. Innovative Sous Chef with experience in diverse culinary techniques and management of kitchen staff. Strong background in menu development, food preparation, and cost control. Demonstrated ability to maintain high quality standards while increasing efficiency in fast-paced environments. Consistently achieve customer satisfaction through creative culinary skill set and effective communication abilities.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sous Chef
Tacombi inter-Groupo national
Chicago, IL
08.2023 - Current
- Directed kitchen staff in day-to-day operations including food production, sanitation, safety practices, and personnel management.
- Oversaw food-related activities, including line expo and management, to maintain efficient kitchen workflow.
- Trained and supervised kitchen staff, ensuring high standards of food quality and safety.
- Managed all back-of-house operations, including scheduling, food ordering, and preparation.
- Directed staff in restaurant kitchen and field to maintain department objectives, standards, guidelines and budget.
Line Cook
Lena Brava Chicago
Chicago, IL
03.2023 - 08.2025
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment working with teammates to maintain high customer satisfaction rate.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining organized in a fast-paced environment.
- Set up workstations with needed ingredients, utensils and cooking equipment.
- Managed the line and cooked at different stations, including the grill and fry stations, in a fine dining setting.
- Specialized in American, Mexican, and Italian cuisine, utilizing an open fire pit for preparation.
- Stocked and prepared food in a fine dining restaurant, managing various stations independently.
- Weighed, measured and mixed ingredients, following recipes to produce quality dishes.
Line Cook
Bodaga
Chicago, IL
03.2022 - 08.2023
- Stocked and prepped the line, ensuring readiness for service.
- Maintained cleanliness of the kitchen and handled prep work efficiently.
- Prepared and organized ingredients to support smooth kitchen operations.
- Performed workstation prep prior to shift start.
- Established and maintained open, collaborative relationships with kitchen team to maximize efficiency.
Line Cook/Kitchen Manger
Best Western
Saint Paul, MN
09.2017 - 09.2018
- Assisted in the daily cleaning of the pantry, cooking line, prep kitchen, dish and prep area
- Assured that the food was produced on a timely basis and that the servers were well educated regarding the menu
- Complied with departmental policies as well as restaurant rules & regulations and policies provided in the Employee Handbook and by management
- Prevented the spoiling and contamination of food by enforcing proper sanitation practices with knowledge of policy and health regulations
- Familiar with health requirements, OSHA regulations and Department of Labor regulations as they pertain to all kitchen and restaurant employees
- Created and maintained a working relationship with all managed preparation personnel
Line Cook
Bub City
Chicago, IL
03.2015 - 08.2016
- Responsible for operating Hot Appetizer/Fry Station
- Assisted in food prep assignments during off-site and private events as needed
- Portioning food products prior to cooking according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications
- Prepared item for broiling, grilling, frying, or other cooking methods by portioning, battering, breading, seasoning and marinating
- Followed proper plate presentation and garnish set up for all dishes
- Maintained a clean and sanitary work station area including tables, shelves, grills, broilers, fryers, pasta cookers, sauté burners, convection oven, flat top range and refrigeration equipment
- Complied with nutrition and sanitation regulations and safety standards
- Answered, reported and followed executive or sous chef's instructions
Prep Cook/Pantry Cook
Bub City
Chicago, IL
09.2014 - 03.2015
- Food preparation, chopping vegetables, making salads and putting together entrees
- Learned designated cooking methods to assist in preparing the appropriate menu items consistently
- Ensured food was properly stored
- Properly measured ingredients required for preparing the standard recipes
- Cuts and/or portions meat, fish and poultry
- Portioned and prepared cold food items such as salads, cold appetizers, desserts, sandwiches, salad dressings and cold banquet platters
- Responsible for maintaining a sanitary kitchen work station
- Developed recipes and prepares desserts, including cakes, pies, cookies, sauces, glazes and custards
Dishwasher
Bub City
Chicago, IL
02.2014 - 09.2014
- Prepared used dishes and place into dish washing equipment
- Deep-cleaned kitchen equipment, sinks and garbage cans when needed
- Swept and scrubbed kitchen floors before shift change
- Emptied trash cans and moved garbage to waste collection
- Assisted with kitchen preparations as needed
- Packed individual place settings and utensils before closing
- Helped kitchen staff with food preparation, stocking, cleaning and serving duties
- Maintained work area in a clean and organized fashion
Education
High School Diploma -
Harlan Community High School
Chicago, IL06.2012
Skills
- Food Preparation
- Cooking
- Kitchen Experience
- Kitchen Management Experience
- Supervising food prep
- Dish preparation
- Food preparation supervision
- Team leadership
- Staff training
- Food preparation
- Vendor relationship management
- Motivational team management
- Performance improvement
- Knife skills
- Kitchen leadership
- Safety management
- Mentoring and coaching
- Kitchen management
- Inventory management
- Kitchen organization
- Positive and professional
- Employee scheduling
- Safe food handling
Certification
Manager safe serve , Food Handler Certification
Personal Information
Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Sous Chef
Tacombi inter-Groupo national
08.2023 - Current
Line Cook
Lena Brava Chicago
03.2023 - 08.2025
Line Cook
Bodaga
03.2022 - 08.2023
Line Cook/Kitchen Manger
Best Western
09.2017 - 09.2018
Line Cook
Bub City
03.2015 - 08.2016
Prep Cook/Pantry Cook
Bub City
09.2014 - 03.2015
Dishwasher
Bub City
02.2014 - 09.2014
High School Diploma -
Harlan Community High School
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