Vanessa Farwell
Mount Carroll
Summary
Experienced chef and line cook with 8+ years in fast-paced kitchens. Strong in food safety, sanitation, knife skills, and meal preparation, with a steady record of accurate execution, clean workspaces, and timely service.
Skilled kitchen professional with experience in chef and line cook roles across busy service environments. Known for leading station setup, supporting smooth ticket flow, and training new staff. Brings strong kitchen management, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt quickly during high-pressure shifts.
Overview
1
1
Certification
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Chef
Allure of Mount Carroll
03.2026 - 10.2026
- Prepared daily meals following dietary guidelines and food safety procedures.
- Chopped, portioned, and organized ingredients for efficient kitchen workflow.
- Monitored food temperatures and storage conditions to maintain quality standards.
- Assisted with menu execution and timely meal service for residents.
- Cleaned cooking stations, equipment, and utensils to support sanitation compliance.
- Followed recipes accurately to ensure consistent taste and presentation.
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to complete meal preparation tasks smoothly.
- Adapted quickly to changing service needs and kitchen priorities.
Line Cook
Shortys Bar and Grill
09.2025 - 12.2025
- Prepared grill, fryer, and sauté stations for efficient service during busy kitchen periods.
- Followed food safety and sanitation procedures while handling ingredients and kitchen equipment.
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to maintain smooth ticket flow and timely order completion.
- Monitored ingredient levels and restocked prep items to support continuous service.
- Ensured menu items met recipe standards for portioning, presentation, and consistency.
- Cleaned work surfaces, utensils, and equipment to maintain organized kitchen conditions.
- Adapted quickly to changing orders and prioritized tasks during high-volume shifts.
- Assisted with prep work, knife work, and station setup to support daily kitchen operations.
Chef/Line Cook
Route No. 73 Brew & Chew
07.2023 - 06.2025
- Prepared grill, fryer, and sauté stations for consistent service readiness.
- Executed menu orders accurately while maintaining portion and plating standards.
- Coordinated with front-of-house staff to support smooth ticket flow during peak rushes.
- Monitored food temperatures and sanitation practices to uphold kitchen safety standards.
- Organized mise en place and restocked ingredients for efficient line operation.
- Trained new kitchen staff on station setup, prep procedures, and cleanliness expectations.
- Inspected product quality and rotated stock to reduce waste and maintain freshness.
- Adapted quickly to daily specials and menu changes while preserving order accuracy.
Chef/Line Cook
Candlelight at Lake Carroll
03.2019 - 07.2023
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a clean and safe working environment, adhering to health and safety guidelines.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Adapted quickly to new recipes and techniques, demonstrating versatility and eagerness to learn from colleagues.
- Prepared and cooked full course meals based on restaurant recipes and specifications.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
- Plated and presented all dishes to match established restaurant standards.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
Assembler
Wahl Clipper Corporation
02.2018 - 12.2022
- Assembled clipper components using hand tools, fixtures, and production work instructions.
- Inspected finished units for defects, ensuring consistent quality and functional performance.
- Adjusted assembly methods to meet changing line requirements and maintain workflow efficiency.
- Trained new assemblers on safe equipment use, part handling, and station procedures.
- Identified recurring assembly issues and communicated process improvements to supervision.
- Monitored parts supply and organized workstations to support uninterrupted production.
- Packaged completed products for shipment while verifying labels, counts, and product readiness.
Education
High School Diploma -
Milledgeville High School
Milledgeville, IL05-2000
Skills
- Food safety and sanitation
- Customer service
- Knife skills
- Cooking techniques
- Food quality
- Kitchen management
- Food presentation
- Meal preparation
- Attention to detail
Certification
I have my food saftey manager license good until June 17, 2031
Timeline
Chef
Allure of Mount Carroll
03.2026 - 10.2026
Line Cook
Shortys Bar and Grill
09.2025 - 12.2025
Chef/Line Cook
Route No. 73 Brew & Chew
07.2023 - 06.2025
Chef/Line Cook
Candlelight at Lake Carroll
03.2019 - 07.2023
Assembler
Wahl Clipper Corporation
02.2018 - 12.2022
High School Diploma -
Milledgeville High School