Yvonne Khananis
San Jose,CA
Summary
With over 30 years of experience in designing and delivering high-quality customer experience and engagement, a driven professional who consistently strives for excellence. As a proven leader in the service industry, my collaborative approach and hands-on management style have earned the trust of employees, investors, and vendors, resulting in long-lasting business partnerships within the community. As an entrepreneurial and creative Founder, passionate about transforming innovative ideas into tangible results. With a strong background in formulating and executing strategic plans, creating new products and services, and identifying business opportunities. Throughout my career, successfully leading multiple business ventures and maximizing profits by effectively leading teams of professionals. My track record speaks for itself when it comes to delivering success.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder, Owner, Executive Chef
OY! Gluten Free Baking Company
Los Gatos, CA
10.2022 - Current
- Born out of the demand for our breads and desserts at POLENTERIA, I opened OY! Gluten Free Baking Company
- Solely focusing on Celiac safe baking
- Savory and Sweet baked goods
- Executed the build and design of the space, hiring and training staff, building relationships with community members and growing the retail and wholesale business to serve all of the bay area as well as recently rolling out a nationwide ordering and delivery program.
Founder, Owner, Executive Chef
POLENTERIA
Los Gatos, CA
07.2022 - Current
- Polenteria is my covid baby
- Necessity is the base of creation
- I had this idea for a polenta bar for about 9 years, and decided to take one half of my catering kitchen and built it into a restaurant that filled a need
- We cater to guests that have celiac or struggle with gluten intolerances, however the food is as good if not better than most Italian restaurants period
- Our objective is to make food that is unbelievable as gluten free
- As most of our guests proclaim, are you sure this is gluten free?
Founder, Owner, Executive Chef
Reverence Catering + Events
Los Gatos, CA
09.2014 - Current
- Corporate catering company built from the ground up in 2014 with a singular client that required lunch service for 500 employees, and grew to servicing corporate clients daily, that including feeding up to 5000 a day, breakfast, lunch and Happy Hour
- Executed white glove service for EBC at multiple clients that included: Splunk, Roku, Nutanix, Thoughtspot, and Uniphore
- The pandemic stunted our projected growth for 2020 that was projected to go from $4MM to $10MM by year end, with the addition of Netflix as another core client.
Director of Restaurants
The H & H Company
Los Altos, CA
05.2013 - 09.2014
- Managed daily operations of three restaurants which included hiring and management of all back and front of house staff including executive chef
- Menu consultation, floor supervision including replacement of last minute staffing needs Direct and consistent relationship building with demanding client base in unusual environment requiring strict standards of service
- Implemented beta-testing of new software for tech-centered group
- Created new policies and procedures
- Researched and introduced upgraded POS system and provided extensive training
- Maintenance of private events and three separate concepts within one umbrella group
- Directly reported to owners and maintained loyal and lasting relationships with investors and clients
- Regular brand development meetings
- Staff mediation and mentorship
- Payroll and all accounting
- P&L Inventory
- Direction of all managers and supervisors
- Service standards
- Promotion of company image and brand integrity.
Skills
- Business Founder Owner
- Customer Relations
- Restaurant and Retail
- Training & Development
- Vendor Management
- Conflict Resolution
- Continuous Learner
- Mentor & Leader
- Team Leadership
- Strategic Thinking
- Marketing
- Entrepreneurial and Innovative
- Client Engagement
- Visionary leadership
- Customer Acquisition
- Team Engagement
- Start-Up Operations
- Operations Management
- Project Management
- Business Planning
- Goal Setting
- Growth Mindset
- Revenue Generation
- Industry Expertise
Business Owner
From concept to completion, design and execution of menu, staff hiring and training, to opening day. Juggling multiple projects at any given time., A respected and proven leader through programmatic business process, authentic collaboration with employees, colleagues and customers and continuous learning through development programs., Highly experienced in business operations, finance management, staff mentoring and development.
Timeline
Founder, Owner, Executive Chef
OY! Gluten Free Baking Company
10.2022 - Current
Founder, Owner, Executive Chef
POLENTERIA
07.2022 - Current
Founder, Owner, Executive Chef
Reverence Catering + Events
09.2014 - Current
Director of Restaurants
The H & H Company
05.2013 - 09.2014