VANCE COUSIN
Southampton,NY
Summary
Self-motivated professional with 13 years of extensive experience in the culinary industry. Quality-focused Sous Chef seeking an advanced level culinary position where superior culinary knowledge and management skills will add value in prepping diverse range of foods, and contributing extensively to the business's kitchen service.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Private Chef
Hamptons Everything
03.2021 - Current
- Worked closely with clients regarding their nutritional goals and implemented meal plans accordingly.
- Adapted quickly to last-minute changes in menu requests or guest counts without sacrificing quality or presentation standards.
- Prepared high-quality meals for clients with diverse palates, emphasizing the use of fresh, local ingredients.
- Maintained a clean and organized kitchen workspace, adhering to strict sanitation guidelines and safety protocols.
- Upheld confidentiality agreements with high-profile clientele while providing discrete personal chef services in various settings.
- Coordinated with event planners during large gatherings or parties, ensuring seamless service and guest satisfaction.
- Provided exceptional private catering services for special events, creating memorable dining experiences for guests.
- Collaborated with other household staff to provide seamless services for clients, fostering a positive work environment.
- Shopped for ingredients.
- Managed all aspects of meal planning, grocery shopping, and budgeting to ensure timely service delivery.
Baquet Server/cook
Swan Lake Golf & Country Club
03.2022 - 11.2023
- Delivered meals and drinks to tables, ensuring prompt service and customer satisfaction.
- Maintained cleanliness of dining area to provide pleasant environment for guests.
- Assisted kitchen staff by delivering orders quickly and accurately.
- Improved guest experience by providing friendly and attentive service.
- Assisted kitchen staff with preparation tasks to facilitate smooth operations.
- Presented menus to patrons promptly after seating and answered questions about menu items, making recommendations upon request.
- Supervised dining table set-up to prepare for diversity of event types, following strict service standards.
Kitchen Staff/Bartender
N.C Music Factory
03.2021 - 01.2022
- Work concessions as well as cover all aspects of food and alcohol at venue
- serve beer and wine for events at a high volume and fast pace
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, adhering to strict hygiene standards for optimal food safety.
- Followed proper handling and sanitation procedures to comply with food safety standards and protocols.
- Increased overall kitchen productivity by assisting in multiple stations as needed during busy shifts.
- Made food according to standard recipes with requested changes for customer satisfaction.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure seamless coordination during peak service hours.
- Restocked supplies and prepared additional ingredients during downtime for expected busy periods.
- Learned other teammates' work tasks to train as backup.
Kitchen Manager
Discovery Cafe
02.2020 - 03.2021
- Work with kitchen staff and FOH staff to feed laboratory staff in a timely manner on a daily basis
Sous Chef
Infamous Chicken
07.2018 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: (NEW YORK, NY)
- Work with head chef handling all daily responsibilities including opening and closing the restaurant
- Train new and current employees ensuring business standards are met
- Supervise and assist line and prep cooks
- Manage inventory and food costs on a daily basis
- Review and submit all catering and party orders
- Revise restaurant menu on a weekly basis
- (NEW YORK, NY)
Sous Chef/Manager
Tipsy Parsons
01.2018 - 07.2018
- Company Overview: (NEW YORK, NY)
- Hire and train new and current employees
- Conduct weekly payroll
- Execute daily restaurant responsibilities under instruction from head chef
- Weekly menu revision
- Monitor/control all food costs, ordering, and kitchen inventory
- (NEW YORK, NY)
Line Cook/Prep Cook
Quality Eats
06.2017 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: (NEW YORK, NY)
- Prepared food for service including chopping vegetables, butchering meat, and preparing sauces
- Managed inventory
- Follow head and sous chef's instructions thoroughly
- (NEW YORK, NY)
Sous Chef
Jamal's Caribbean Cuisine
12.2016 - 04.2017
- Company Overview: (LONG ISLAND, NY)
- Handled all functions for opening and closing restaurant
- Supervise kitchen staff during food preparations
- Prepared daily dishes and updated menu items
- Monitor/control all food costs and kitchen inventory
- (LONG ISLAND, NY)
Line Cook/Prep Cook
Mermaid Inn
06.2016 - 11.2016
- Company Overview: (NEW YORK, NY)
- Cook seafood dishes for dinner service
- Prep, clean, and shuck clams for happy hour
- (NEW YORK, NY)
Education
CULINARY ARTS -
SUFFOLK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
01.2009
Skills
- Accuracy and speed in executing assigned tasks
- Culinary Expertise
- Fast paced decision making
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Time Management
- Strong business sense
- Highly organized
- Cost Control
- Inventory Control
- Allergy awareness
- International cuisine
- Client relationship building
- Cooking techniques
- Team management
- Sanitation practices
- Meal preparation
- Ingredient sourcing
- Special diet accommodation
- Nutritional advice
- Wine pairing
- Budgeting and cost control
- Attention to detail
- Creative thinking
Timeline
Baquet Server/cook
Swan Lake Golf & Country Club
03.2022 - 11.2023
Private Chef
Hamptons Everything
03.2021 - Current
Kitchen Staff/Bartender
N.C Music Factory
03.2021 - 01.2022
Kitchen Manager
Discovery Cafe
02.2020 - 03.2021
Sous Chef
Infamous Chicken
07.2018 - 01.2020
Sous Chef/Manager
Tipsy Parsons
01.2018 - 07.2018
Line Cook/Prep Cook
Quality Eats
06.2017 - 01.2018
Sous Chef
Jamal's Caribbean Cuisine
12.2016 - 04.2017
Line Cook/Prep Cook
Mermaid Inn
06.2016 - 11.2016
CULINARY ARTS -
SUFFOLK COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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