
Results-driven culinary professional with expertise in back-of-house operations and culinary sales. Skilled in driving sales and building strong customer relationships while enhancing service and product quality. Collaborates with foodservice sales, marketing, and innovation teams to create exceptional customer experiences and foster industry partnerships.
Oversaw menu development and kitchen designs, enhancing culinary offerings and aligning with customer preferences.
Opened new restaurant, ensuring brand integrity and operational cleanliness standards.
Exceeded all business metrics through effective marketing strategies and team collaboration.
Established sustainable systems to boost operational efficiency of restaurants.
Created and managed business plans for $2.5 million operations.
Developed twenty-five general managers in two years, setting company record.
Mentored general and area managers to enhance leadership capabilities.
Executed hiring processes for crew members across eight locations, enhancing team cohesion and service quality.
Oversaw scheduling and payroll, ensuring compliance with safety standards and optimizing workforce management.
Developed and costed menus to optimize profitability and culinary appeal.
Managed labor budgets for back-of-house schedules, optimizing staffing levels.
Supervised purchasing activities to control inventory costs effectively.
Established new systems for chef training and daily routines, enhancing workflow.
Executed online cooking tasks to maintain high service standards.
Expedited food orders during peak hours to enhance customer satisfaction.
Oversaw back-of-house payroll processes for accurate compensation management.
Managed fixed costs for kitchen supplies and cleaning products to maintain budget.
Chef volunteer for demonstrations at Whole Foods Markets, and the Tri-County Celiac Support Group (Serving Southeastern Michigan) to teach people with gluten free and other special diets how to enjoy eating well. My passion for helping others in life and health as a teaching chef, is featured in Living Without magazine (Lifestyle Guide for people with Allergies and Food Sensitivities), and Fox 2 (Dena’s health report) for an allergies free benefit dinner I hosted at the Bonfire Bistro. Edible Columbus magazine article Otterbein’s Bon Appetite, and Otterbein University’s spotlight TV show on the sustainable healthy food service. Zuckerman-Appleton Family, Birmingham, MI, Personal Chef, 07/2006, 09/2006, Developed recipes and shopping, Creating Crohns Disease Diet (gluten, dairy, all corn, caffeine, and unnatural sugars), Menu planning and preparing meals, daily and in advance, Teaching and Dinner Parties, Develop safe dieting in favorite restaurants, country club and sorority house at University of Michigan (daughter’s college), Keeping daily agendas and using all my experience and knowledge of the food industry to create unique, healthy, and fun food.