Vanessa Tran
Grand Rapids,MI
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Banquet Chef
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
09.2023 - Current
- Specialized in garde manger duties, cold dishes, salads, charcuterie and hors d'oeuvres.
- Proficiency in knife skills, precision.
- Visually appealing platters and displays.
- Successfully execute off-site dinners, demonstrating adaptability and ability to work in different environments.
- Grilled, roasted, baked and performed other cooking techniques to produce high volume meals.
Culinary Assistant
Corewell Health, Culinary Medicine
09.2023 - Current
- Evaluated and revised menus to incorporate variety and meet evolving needs and preferences.
- Assisted with preparation and serving of food in line with established nutrition guidelines.
- Supported culinary medicine initiatives by educating families on nutritious food choices and demonstrating healthy, approachable recipes.
- Prepared materials for hands-on cooking classes, ensured safe cooking practices, and provided guidance to participants.
- Managed post-class cleanup, maintaining a safe and welcoming environment.
Personal Chef
Freelance
01.2023 - Current
- Met with client and discussed preferred meals, dietary restrictions and food allergies.
- Prepared and served meals for small dinner parties and large events and complied with diet requests and special accommodations.
- Planning and preparing health conscious and delicious meals in advance for busy clients.
- Providing exceptional customer service and maintaining strong relationships with clients.
- Preparing meals in the client's home, adhering to food safety and sanitation standards
Chocolatier Intern
Mokaya Artisan Chocolates
05.2024 - 06.2024
- Actively observed and learned advanced techniques in pastry, chocolate works, cakes, desserts, and ice cream production.
- Assisted in various projects, ensuring precision and quality.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, carefully handling and cleaning chocolate tools.
Culinary Intern
Amway Grand Plaza
05.2023 - 08.2023
- Working in banquet kitchens, garde manger prepping for large-scale events and parties.
- Experience in the bake shop and pastry department, creating plated desserts and bread with attention to detail and presentation.
- Worked at Wolfgang Puck’s: The Kitchen on the line, maintaining high standards of food quality and consistency during service.
- Serving sushi to the Amway founders, Van Andels, Devoses, showcasing ability to handle pressure and deliver exceptional guests experiences.
- Demonstrated a strong work ethic, willingness to learn, and a passion for the culinary arts.
- Developed butchering skills in meat fabrication, including fish, chicken, and other varieties.
Hotline Cook & Sushi Chef
Maru Sushi Bridge Street
01.2022 - 05.2023
- Communicated closely with servers to fully understand special orders for customers.
- Took food orders from cashiers and cooked items quickly to complete order items together and serve hot.
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Preparing and grilling various dishes including sushi, sashimi, and grilled items, ensuring high-quality plates were delivered.
- Acquired basic Japanese kitchen vocabulary and knife skill techniques.
Hotline Cook
Maru Sushi East Lansing
08.2021 - 12.2021
- Quickly adjusted to a fast- paced work environment, rapidly adapting to the high pressure demands of a busy kitchen.
- Restocked stations and supplies during slower periods between rushes.
- Verified accurate portioning of food items and garnishes.
- Adhered to strict food safety regulations and hygiene standards.
- Familiar with Japanese cuisine.
Barista/ Cashier
Kung Fu Tea
06.2020 - 08.2021
- First employee of this branch to successfully memorize the entire menu of drink formulas.
- Efficient drink assembly with milk teas, fruit teas, smoothies, and coffees.
- Worked under pressure during busy periods, ensuring all customers were served in a timely and friendly manner.
- Friendly and inviting customer service interactions.
- Cleaned counters, machines, utensils, and seating areas daily.
- Operated espresso machines and commercial coffee brewers to create beverages.
- Trained new team members with positive reinforcement and respectful, encouraging coaching.
Education
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts, Personal Chef Certificate
Secchia Culinary Institute
Grand Rapids04.2024
High School Diploma -
West Michigan Aviation Academy
Grand Rapids05.2021
Skills
- Creativity with kitchen ingredients, consistently crafting unique and innovative dishes
- Strong problem-solving skills, navigating unexpected challenges and coming up with effective solutions
- Keen attention to detail, ensuring every dish is made with accuracy
- Quick learner, able to rapidly pick up new menus, recipes, and incorporate new techniques
- Excellent interpersonal skills, able to engage with all customers and colleagues in a friendly and engaging manner
- Team Collaboration
- Culinary Trends
Certification
ServeSafe Food Safety Sanitation Manager Certification
Issued December 2022, Expires Jan 2027
ServeSafe Alcohol Certification
Issued May 2023, Expires May 2026
Culinary Stages
Culinary Stage at Ella, Elli Chicago, IL
August 2024
- Volunteered for a day, assisting with various prep projects in a high-paced kitchen environment.
- Gained hands-on experience in pasta-making, fish fabrication, and working with hot sugar, guided by the sous chef.
- Observed and adapted to the workflow of a new kitchen, learning from the creative techniques and approaches of a highly skilled culinary team.
Culinary Stage at MDRD of Amway Grand Plaza
June 2024 to July 2024
- Engaged in culinary stage at a AAA designated 4 diamond restaurant specializing in modern Spanish cuisine.
- Assisted with daily prep tasks, ensuring timely and efficient preparation of ingredients for service.
- Provided support in handling a diverse range of ingredients such as seafood (e.g., octopus), pork chops, ribeyes and other proteins.
- Gained exposure to advanced plating techniques, enhancing presentation skills and attention to detail.
- Adapted to a fast-paced environment, demonstrating flexibility and readiness to assist in various kitchen operations.
Additional Information
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Wildlife Rehab Center
Spring 2021
- Cleaned animal cages, beds, and litters, as well as assisted with feeding and administering medication to the animals.
- Helped maintain everyday animal care tools, ensuring a safe and hygienic environment for the animals.
Trinity CRC Community Garden
Summers 2020-2021
- Helped to clear the garden of debris, weeds, leaves, and other unwanted elements.
- Worked to remove invasive species from Rush Creek and prepared fertilizers.
Transcribing Documentary Work
Spring 2021
- Transcribed interviews of victims who needed their record expunged. Worked closely with Reason journalist Zuri Davis.
- Gained valuable insight into the documentary-making process and contributed to a project aimed at bringing attention to important social issues.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Vietnamese
Limited Working
Timeline
Chocolatier Intern
Mokaya Artisan Chocolates
05.2024 - 06.2024
Banquet Chef
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
09.2023 - Current
Culinary Assistant
Corewell Health, Culinary Medicine
09.2023 - Current
Culinary Intern
Amway Grand Plaza
05.2023 - 08.2023
Personal Chef
Freelance
01.2023 - Current
Hotline Cook & Sushi Chef
Maru Sushi Bridge Street
01.2022 - 05.2023
Hotline Cook
Maru Sushi East Lansing
08.2021 - 12.2021
Barista/ Cashier
Kung Fu Tea
06.2020 - 08.2021
ServeSafe Food Safety Sanitation Manager Certification
Issued December 2022, Expires Jan 2027
ServeSafe Alcohol Certification
Issued May 2023, Expires May 2026
Associate of Arts - Culinary Arts, Personal Chef Certificate
Secchia Culinary Institute
High School Diploma -
West Michigan Aviation Academy
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