Yolanda Lewis
Cary,NC
Summary
I am an experienced Line Cook and BOH Leader with over 5 years of experience in high-volume kitchens, event execution, food safety, and team training. One of my biggest achievements was growing in my role and being promoted to Sous Chef, which showed my dedication, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure.
Throughout my career, I have helped maintain strong kitchen operations by supporting food quality, sanitation standards, prep execution, ticket times, and teamwork. I have experience training team members, assisting with daily kitchen flow, and helping ensure events and busy shifts run smoothly. I take pride in being dependable, focused, and willing to step up wherever I am needed to support the team and deliver great guest experiences.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Line Cook
Andretti Indoor Karting and Games
Durham, NC
05.2026 - Current
- Cooking menu items according to recipes and company standards
- Preparing ingredients before and during service
- Keeping the station clean, organized, and stocked
- Following food safety, sanitation, heating, and cooling procedures
- Communicating with team members to keep ticket times down
- Helping with prep, restocking, and cleaning during downtime
- Staying knowledgeable about the menu and guest requests
- Working with urgency during peak hours
- Maintaining a positive attitude and teamwork with BOH and FOH
- Standing for long periods, lifting, bending, reaching, and working in a fast-paced kitchen environment
Sous Chef
TOPGOLF
Durham, NC
09.2025 - 05.2026
- Assisted head chef in menu planning, recipe development, and food preparation for a high-volume restaurant
- Implemented new cooking techniques and recipes to enhance menu offerings and attract customers
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of the kitchen area, adhering to health and safety regulations
- Trained new kitchen staff on proper food handling procedures, cooking techniques, and safety protocols
- Oversaw food plating presentation to ensure visually appealing dishes that met customer expectations
- Managed food costs by accurately portioning ingredients during preparation while minimizing waste
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to address customer dietary restrictions or special requests effectively
- Participated in regular meetings with management to discuss menu changes, operational improvements, and cost-saving strategies
- Conducted regular inspections of equipment functionality; coordinated repairs or replacements as needed
- Ensured compliance with sanitation guidelines by implementing rigorous cleaning schedules
- Led training sessions on culinary techniques for junior chefs to improve their skills
- Mentored junior chefs through ongoing coaching sessions focused on skill development
- Served as a liaison between the kitchen staff and management team regarding any issues or concerns
- Coordinated with vendors for timely delivery of supplies while maintaining cost-effectiveness
- Managed a team of line cooks and kitchen staff, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to quality standards
Kitchen Manager
TOPGOLF
Durham, NC
04.2024 - 09.2025
- Manage kitchen staff and coordinate food orders.
- Supervise food prep and cooking.
- Check food plating and temperature.
- Establish portion sizes.
- Schedule kitchen staff shifts.
- Price menu items in collaboration with the Restaurant Manager.
- Order food supplies and kitchen equipment, as needed.
- Store food products in compliance with safety practices (e.g. in refrigerators)
- Keep weekly and monthly cost reports
- Maintain sanitation and safety standards in the kitchen area
- Line check, where a manager or lead server inspects the kitchen's food and beverage stations before service begins
- Clean sweep( sanitation wipe downs of all appliances in the kitchen)
- Pie( where I check and see the food that was sold that day or during that week and save food cost for the day or week)
- Recap
- Microsoft
- Event Manager
- Plan and execute events for internal and external purposes.
- Keep event plans under budget and on schedule.
- Strong organizational and management skills
- Comfort working in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to plan and execute projects with many moving parts
- Exceptional leadership and communication skills
- Experience creating and adhering to a budget
- Prep manager
- Liaise with the front-of-house management team to ensure seamless communication and coordination between the kitchen and dining areas.
- Maintain detailed records of kitchen operations, including inventory, food costs, and staff performance.
- Assist the Executive Chef in menu development and testing, providing valuable input based on your operational expertise.
- Safety Team
Overnight Custodian
Sheraton Imperial
Durham, NC
11.2022 - 10.2023
- Performs general, routine custodial duties, to include dusting, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning restrooms, and restocking paper and soap supplies.
- Performs routine maintenance to custodial equipment and supplies.
- Empties trash receptacles, disposes trash into compactors and/or dumpsters, and bags trash for proper disposal.
- Unlocks doors, ensuring doors are locked after cleaning areas.
- Reports needs and concerns to appropriate staff, which may include submitting or recommending work orders and checking supply levels; for positions within on-campus residence halls, responsible for reporting concerns related to on-campus residents.
- Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.
- Assists in on-the-job training of new staff on routine procedures.
- Performs cleaning functions specific to the assigned facilities and/or based on seasonal/project requirements.
- May provide vendors with access to areas for cleaning and may answer basic questions. May report issues with vendors to supervisor.
- May assist or perform snow removal activities and minor maintenance, such as replacing light bulbs, adjusting furniture, or other similar activities.
- Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Assembly/Machine Operator
Aramark
Durham, NC
07.2021 - 09.2022
- Mechanical skills
- Dexterity
- Attention to details
- Time management
- Teamwork.
- Problem solving.
- Decision making.
- Concentration.
- Able to follow instructions and production schedules.
- Able to act quickly when a problem arises.
- Lift over 50lbs
- Standing for long periods of time
- Sorting
- Folding
Industrial Sewer
Adecco(Spoon Flower)
Durham, NC
03.2022 - 07.2022
- Fold finished garments
- Shipping
- Labeling
- Hand tools
- Scanning and sorting outgoing stock
- Able to work independently and withing a team
- Strong sense of time organization and urgency
- Production line
- Electric jack
Housekeeping
Marriott International
Durham, NC
04.2021 - 05.2022
- Responsible for cleaning and sweeping/mopping in the bathroom.
- Changing linens in each room as requested.
- Responsible for cleaning the kitchen and dining room.
- Making sure all cleaning supplies are stored away properly
- Ensure that each room is clean, sanitized and replenished all materials in the room
- Provide and ensure that customers receive good quality service at any given time
- Document that all rooms were completed at the end of the day
- All other duties assigned
Order Picker
INSOURCE (LB&B)
Raleigh, NC
08.2020 - 03.2022
- Quickly and efficiently get items from their place on the shelves to a truck or shipping container.
- Ability to use a radio frequency or barcode scanner
- In-depth knowledge of industry safety regulations
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment for long hours
- Great team spirit
- Great physical strength and fitness
- Excellent attention to detail
- Great self-independence and motivation
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Drive Electric Pallet Jack
Machine Operator
Randstad/Corning
Durham, NC
04.2020 - 10.2021
- Assist in the installation, maintenance, and repair of machinery.
- Operate tools in order to aid in the manufacturing process.
- Perform periodic checks on equipment and solve problems as detected.
- Work with others in order to ensure that equipment is in proper working order.
- Maintain a clean area
- Lifting over 50lbs
- Pallet jack (electric)
Housekeeping
Uncommon Schools
Chapel Hill, NC
09.2020 - 02.2021
- Daily & Deep Cleaning
- Dusting & Polishing
- Steam Cleaning
- Vacuuming & Mopping
- Kitchen & Restroom Cleaning
- Countertop, Appliance & Grout Cleaning
- Carpet Cleaning & Wood Floor Polishing
- Window Treatment Cleaning
- Room Tidying & Organizing
- Driving vans
- Burnishing floors
- Waxing floors
- Training
Assembly Line Worker
Ranstad Staffing Service
Durham, NC
01.2020 - 02.2021
- Following health and safety standards.
- Maintaining a clean workstation and production floor.
- Assembling products and parts.
- Following production guidelines and specifications.
- Finalizing and packaging products for shipment.
- Operating and maintaining machinery and production line equipment.
- Monitoring the assembly line and removing faulty products.
- Working on the production line and meeting production targets.
- Reporting any issues to the supervisor on duty.
- Performing other tasks as assigned.
- Lifting over 50lbs-75lbs
- Pallet jack
- Stacking pallets
- Filling cartridges
Supervisor
Sheetz
Cary, NC
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Leadership
- Critical Thinking
- Interpersonal Skills
- Time and Priority Management
- Diversity and Generational Differences in the Workplace
- Problem Solving
- Setting goals for performance and deadlines in ways that comply with company's plans and vision. Organizing workflow and ensuring that employees understand their duties or delegated tasks. Monitoring employee productivity and providing constructive feedback and coaching.
- Time and temps
- Stocking
- Receiving inventory check in
- Prep and pull
- Organizing
- EOD( counting down money draws, And handling money from lottery)
- Count safe
- Lottery
Shift Supervisor/Manager
Wendy's
Durham, NC
07.2016 - 08.2020
- Supervised other staff during shifts worked.
- Ensured staff completed all shift tasks.
- Interacted with all customers in a friendly manner.
- Resolved customer complaints.
- Ensured all close-down duties were completed including mopping cleaning and disinfection of food preparation surfaces.
- Performed money counts with cashiers of drawers and addressed discrepancies.
- Was responsible for all management aspects during shifts while on duty.
- Supervised other staff for following protocols regarding food rotation and cleaning food stations.
- Delegated trash take out to staff members.
- Made day shift deposits of money at the bank.
- Reported to the management.
- Employee evaluation, initial disciplinary contact, and performing other managerial tasks when the manager is unavailable.
- Display strong communication, interpersonal and decision-making skills.
- Selecting personnel for specific positions and providing training and professional development
- Evaluating employee performance
- Collaborating with management on employee and customer service issues
- Promoting store merchandise or company product
- Knowledge of inventory management
- Possess ability to multi-task
- Understand team-building concepts and techniques
Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Cafe Bistro Nordstrom
Durham, NC
04.2017 - 02.2018
- Prepare cooking ingredients by washing and chopping vegetables
- Cutting meat
- Undertake basic cooking duties such as reducing sauces, parboiling food
- Prepare simple dishes such as salads, entrees
- Maintain a clean and orderly kitchen by washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, taking out trash etc.
- Label and stock all ingredients on shelves so they can be organized and easily accessible
- Knowledge of health and safety rules in a kitchen
- Manual dexterity able to operate cutting tools and kitchen utensils
- A team player with good communication skills
- Patient with an ability to stay positive under pressure
- Very good physical condition and endurance
Bar Back and Food Runner
The Bar
Durham, NC
09.2015 - 12.2017
- Keeping the premises clean
- Cooking on the grill
- Cleaning the grill station before, during and the end of the shift
- Keep the bar stocked with liquor, syrups, glasses, napkins and all other necessary items before and after shift
- Prepare garnishes
- Refill ice wells
- Change beer kegs
- Clean up the spills
- Remove the glassware and organize the counter.
Ecar driver/ Machine Operator
STAFFMASTERS
Durham, NC
04.2015 - 03.2016
- Responsibilities
- I made sure the work on my line was correct before i got started.
- Checked my ecar for any damages
- Loaded and dropped off products to different lines
- Accomplishments
- My communication skills got a lot better it taught me how to prepare for anything meaning working with machines and cleaning
- QA
- QC
- Math
- Communication
- Writing
Shift Leader
Hardee's
Walterboro, SC
02.2014 - 02.2015
- Supervised other staff during shifts worked.
- Ensured staff completed all shift tasks.
- Interacted with all customers in a friendly manner.
- Resolved customer complaints.
- Ensured all close-down duties were completed including mopping cleaning and disinfection of food preparation surfaces.
- Performed money counts with cashiers of drawers and addressed discrepancies.
- Was responsible for all management aspects during shifts while on duty.
- Supervised other staff for following protocols regarding food rotation and cleaning food stations.
- Delegated trash take out to staff members.
- Made day shift deposits of money at the bank.
- Reported to the management.
Assembly Line/ Material Handler
FedEx Grounds
Durham, NC
06.2010 - 12.2013
- Packing and Storage
- QA and QC all items on the line.
- Lifting items over 50lbs-120lbs
- Assembling and Disassembling displays and racks
- Set Mods
- Gemini Skills gun
- Pallet jack
- Stocking
Package Handler
FedEx Grounds
Durham, NC
01.2010 - 06.2012
- Scan the label boxes
- Lift over 75lbs
- Handle packages with care
- Tape boxes
- QA boxes
- Drive tuggers
Assembly Line/ Material Handler
PBM Graphics/ In source Staffing
Durham, NC
07.2009 - 11.2009
- Packing and Storage
- QA and QC all items on the line.
- Lifting items over 50lbs
- Pallet jack
- Electric Pallet jack
- Assembly line
- Boxing products
- Palletizing Pallets
- Keeping work area tidy(sweeping, wiping down area)
Security Officer
Potomac Job Corps
Washington, DC
11.2007 - 03.2009
- Responsible for protecting and ensuring safety on and about Campus.
- Conduct vehicle searches by following established procedures.
- Recorded facts and submitted accurate and timely reports
- Certified in CPR /First Aide
- Develop and write field notes
- Maintain log book.
- Prepare and present detailed written and oral reports
- Patrol on foot; utilize strong observational skills.
- React to emergency situations with urgency
- Communicated daily and unusual activity to Security Supervisor.
Education
Security Protective (Trade school) - undefined
Potomac Job Corps
Washington, DC03-2009
Security Protective (High school or equivalent) - undefined
Potomac Job Corps Center
Washington, DC03-2009
Security Protective (High School Diploma) - undefined
Ballou Stay High School
Washington, DC03-2009
Skills
- Management
- Math
- Profit & loss
- Food service
- Quality assurance
- Computer operation
- Food handling
- Quality Assurance
- Frying
- Conflict management
- Leadership
- POS
- Organizational skills
- Time management
- Supervising experience
- Procurement
- Culinary experience
- Baking
- Hospitality management
- Fine dining experience
- Microsoft Excel
- Food management
- Windows
- Employee relations
- Restaurant experience
- Retail sales
- Phone etiquette
- Menu costing
- Microsoft Word
- Processing cash transactions
- Supplier management
- Teamwork
- English
- Presentation skills
- SharePoint
- Restaurant management
- Cooking
- Quick service & fast food restaurant
- Recipe development
- Order Picking
- Cost management
- Schedule management
- Delegation
- Food industry
- 5S
- Decision making
- Kitchen cost control
- Inventory control
- Deep frying
- Sensory evaluation
- Food service management
- Kitchen experience
- Casual dining experience
- Food Preparation
- Cleaning Experience
- Inventory management
- Word processing
- Employee Evaluation
- Meat Cutting
- Sales
- Shift management
- Materials Handling
- Food safety
- Kitchen manager experience
- Banquet experience
- Microsoft Office
- Operations
- Management
- Task prioritization
- Crew management
- Team management
- Guest relations
- Recruiting
- Quality control
- Shift Management
- Knife skills
- Food preparation
- Cash handling
- Merchandising
- Team development
- Customer service
- Managing hospitality teams
- Serving
- Communication skills
- Conflict Management
- Staff development
- POS systems
- Materials management
- Grilling
- Budget control
- Menu planning
- Kitchen management
- Interviewing
- Hospitality
- Vendor relationship building
- Cash register
- Computer literacy
- Food preparation equipment operation
- Microsoft Access
- Food production
- Vendor management
- Staff scheduling
- Food safety management
Certification
- Food Handler Certification
- ServSafe Food Handler November 2018 to November 2023
- Food Safety Certification
Languages
English - Fluent
Additional Information
- Authorized to work in the US for any employer
- SKILLS
- Demonstrate unarmed self-defense and proper handcuffs procedures
- Conduct security patrol
- Demonstrate proper finger printing techniques
- Complete pre-printed reports and forms associate with security.
- Ability to use two-way radio
- Computer skills Microsoft
- Assembly Line
- QA and QC
- Electric Pallet jack
Timeline
Line Cook
Andretti Indoor Karting and Games
05.2026 - Current
Sous Chef
TOPGOLF
09.2025 - 05.2026
Kitchen Manager
TOPGOLF
04.2024 - 09.2025
Overnight Custodian
Sheraton Imperial
11.2022 - 10.2023
Industrial Sewer
Adecco(Spoon Flower)
03.2022 - 07.2022
Assembly/Machine Operator
Aramark
07.2021 - 09.2022
Housekeeping
Marriott International
04.2021 - 05.2022
Housekeeping
Uncommon Schools
09.2020 - 02.2021
Order Picker
INSOURCE (LB&B)
08.2020 - 03.2022
Machine Operator
Randstad/Corning
04.2020 - 10.2021
Assembly Line Worker
Ranstad Staffing Service
01.2020 - 02.2021
Supervisor
Sheetz
01.2019 - 01.2021
Prep Cook/Dishwasher
Cafe Bistro Nordstrom
04.2017 - 02.2018
Shift Supervisor/Manager
Wendy's
07.2016 - 08.2020
Bar Back and Food Runner
The Bar
09.2015 - 12.2017
Ecar driver/ Machine Operator
STAFFMASTERS
04.2015 - 03.2016
Shift Leader
Hardee's
02.2014 - 02.2015
Assembly Line/ Material Handler
FedEx Grounds
06.2010 - 12.2013
Package Handler
FedEx Grounds
01.2010 - 06.2012
Assembly Line/ Material Handler
PBM Graphics/ In source Staffing
07.2009 - 11.2009
Security Officer
Potomac Job Corps
11.2007 - 03.2009
Security Protective (Trade school) - undefined
Potomac Job Corps
Security Protective (High school or equivalent) - undefined
Potomac Job Corps Center
Security Protective (High School Diploma) - undefined
Ballou Stay High School