Toinette Harper
Columbus
Summary
Culinary professional with 12+ years of progressive experience spanning hospitality, corporate dining, higher education, healthcare, youth services, and private chef operations. Demonstrated expertise in kitchen leadership, menu planning, banquet production, food safety compliance, cost control, and client-centered service. Proven ability to manage high-volume environments while maintaining quality, efficiency, and presentation standards.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Food Service Specialist
Directions for Youth & Families
Columbus
03.2024 - Current
- Lead daily meal preparation, menu planning, purchasing, and inventory control
- Maintain compliance with city, county, and state health regulations
- Standardize recipes and portion control for consistency
- Manage procurement of food, supplies, and kitchen equipment
- Support operational documentation and reporting requirements
- Implement waste-reduction and cost-control strategies
Personal Chef
CookinGenie LLC
Columbus
04.2023 - Current
- Create customized menus based on dietary restrictions and client preferences
- Execute private dining events, cocktail gatherings, and family functions
- Source premium ingredients from local markets and specialty suppliers
- Manage full-service culinary operations from planning through clean-up
- Build strong client relationships through personalized service
Line Cook (Corporate Dining Accounts)
Eurest - Meta & AEP Accounts
Columbus
- Current
- Prepared high-volume corporate meals with consistent quality and presentation
- Followed standardized recipes and portion guidelines
- Maintained sanitation and proper food storage practices
Food Unit Lead
Compass Group - Twin Valley
Columbus
- Current
- Oversaw daily kitchen operations and staff coordination
- Managed inventory and ordering processes
- Ensured compliance with food safety standards
Banquet Sous Chef
Marriott Columbus Airport
Columbus
12.2022 - 05.2023
- Supported Executive Chef in restaurant breakfast and banquet operations
- Executed BEOs for catered events and high-volume banquet production
- Operated grill, sauté, flat top, fryer, cold prep, and action stations
- Managed buffet setup and plated service
- Maintained temperature logs and food safety standards
Kitchen Supervisor / Lead Cook
Capital University
Bexley
08.2022 - 12.2022
- Supervised kitchen team in high-volume collegiate dining setting
- Trained staff on food safety, preparation standards, and workflow
- Ensured compliance with sanitation and health regulations
- Assisted in daily specials and seasonal menu development
Line Cook / Dietary Cook
Friendship Village of Dublin
Columbus
03.2019 - 11.2020
- Prepared therapeutic and specialized diet meals in healthcare setting
- Collaborated with dietitians on nutrition-compliant meal plans
- Maintained strict food rotation, labeling, and storage standards
- Operated commercial kitchen equipment safely and efficiently
Education
Human Resource Management -
LinkedIn Learning
Microsoft Office Specialist Training -
LinkedIn Learning
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts
Le Cordon Bleu College of Las Vegas
Skills
- Menu Planning & Development
- Plating & Presentation
- Flavor Profiling & Texture Analysis
- Therapeutic & Modified Diets
- Ingredient Knowledge
- Equipment Mastery
- Sensory Evaluation
- Food Safety & Sanitation
- Kitchen Management
- Staff Supervision & Training
- Inventory Control
- Cost Control & Waste Reduction
- Vendor Relations
- Scheduling
- Procurement & Purchasing
- Health Department Compliance
- Calm Under Pressure
- Multitasking
- Strong Communication
- Customer Service
- Attention to Detail
- Problem Solving
- Adaptability
- Cultural Competence
- Collaboration
- EZChef
- Meez
- HotSchedules
- POS Systems
- Kitchen Display Systems (KDS)
- Microsoft Office
- Spreadsheet Analysis
Certification
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager, 04/01/25
- Food Handler Certification
- ServSafe Manager Certified
- Authorized to Work in the U.S.
Core Competencies
Menu Planning & Development, Plating & Presentation, Flavor Profiling & Texture Analysis, Therapeutic & Modified Diets, Ingredient Knowledge, Equipment Mastery, Sensory Evaluation, Food Safety & Sanitation, Kitchen Management, Staff Supervision & Training, Inventory Control, Cost Control & Waste Reduction, Vendor Relations, Scheduling, Procurement & Purchasing, Health Department Compliance, Calm Under Pressure, Multitasking, Strong Communication, Customer Service, Attention to Detail, Problem Solving, Adaptability, Cultural Competence, Collaboration, EZChef, Meez, HotSchedules, POS Systems, Kitchen Display Systems (KDS), Microsoft Office, Spreadsheet Analysis
Timeline
Food Service Specialist
Directions for Youth & Families
03.2024 - Current
Personal Chef
CookinGenie LLC
04.2023 - Current
Banquet Sous Chef
Marriott Columbus Airport
12.2022 - 05.2023
Kitchen Supervisor / Lead Cook
Capital University
08.2022 - 12.2022
Line Cook / Dietary Cook
Friendship Village of Dublin
03.2019 - 11.2020
Line Cook (Corporate Dining Accounts)
Eurest - Meta & AEP Accounts
- Current
Food Unit Lead
Compass Group - Twin Valley
- Current
Human Resource Management -
LinkedIn Learning
Microsoft Office Specialist Training -
LinkedIn Learning
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts
Le Cordon Bleu College of Las Vegas