Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Zenaida R. Cruces

HOUSTON,TX

Summary

Im an Accomplished Kitchen/Chef Manager with a proven track record at Da Gama, Oporto, & North Italia enhancing restaurant performance and reducing waste by implementing effective strategies. Expert in menu planning and food safety regulations, I excel in crew coordination, Time and quality control, ensuring high standards of food preparation and safety.

Overview

14
14
years of professional experience

Work History

Shift Lead

FKS Mediterrean
08.2024 - Current
  • Checked and monitored inventory levels to reorder items.
  • Monitored employee food handling, safety and uniform requirements.
  • Cut, sliced and ground meat, poultry and seafood to prepare for cooking.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of menu items and corresponding ingredients.
  • Verified prepared food met standards for quality and quantity before serving to customers.

Pastry Chef

North Italia Restaurant
01.2024 - 08.2024
  • Oversaw purchasing, storage, and use of kitchen supplies.
  • Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
  • Monitored quality of ingredients used in recipes to maintain consistency and safety standards.
  • Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
  • Coordinated with kitchen staff to guarantee timely delivery of all pastries, cakes and desserts.
  • Cut and shaped dough for pies, rolls and other pastries.

Kitchen Manager

Da Gama
01.2021 - 01.2024
  • Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
  • Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and reduce waste.
  • Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
  • Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
  • Designed and maintained menus to offer variety of high quality and consistency of dishes.
  • Calculated prices of ingredients to monitor food costs and control expenses.

Kitchen Manager

Oporto
02.2015 - 03.2021
  • Designed and maintained menus to offer variety of high quality and consistency of dishes.
  • Trained staff on proper cooking procedures as well as safety regulations and productivity strategies.
  • Implemented effective inventory control systems to reduce food spoilage and waste.
  • Oversaw food preparation and monitored safety protocols.
  • Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and reduce waste.

Kitchen Manager

The Queen Vic
01.2011 - 02.2016
  • Coordinated with catering staff to deliver food services for special events and functions.
  • Maintained kitchen cleanliness and sanitation through correct procedures and scheduled cleaning of surfaces and equipment.
  • Managed staff schedules and maintained adequate coverage for all shifts.
  • Oversaw food preparation and monitored safety protocols.
  • Designed and maintained menus to offer variety of high quality and consistency of dishes.

Skills

  • Industry expertise 10 yrs
  • Crew coordination
  • Workplace safety 10 yrs
  • Menu planning
  • Food safety regulations

Timeline

Shift Lead

FKS Mediterrean
08.2024 - Current

Pastry Chef

North Italia Restaurant
01.2024 - 08.2024

Kitchen Manager

Da Gama
01.2021 - 01.2024

Kitchen Manager

Oporto
02.2015 - 03.2021

Kitchen Manager

The Queen Vic
01.2011 - 02.2016

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Zenaida R. Cruces