Karen Thomas
Echuca,VIC
Summary
Adept Chef with a proven track record at The American Hotel Echuca, enhancing customer satisfaction through exceptional cooking and presentation skills. Expert in ingredient selection and menu planning, coupled with strong leadership abilities, significantly raised the restaurant's profile. Skilled in both culinary techniques and fostering a collaborative team environment, consistently delivering high-quality, customized dining experiences. Professional culinary expert with strong track record in preparing high-quality dishes and maintaining kitchen efficiency. Known for exceptional collaboration within team environments and adaptability to changing needs. Possesses key skills in food preparation, safety, and sanitation, along with keen sense of taste and presentation. Reliable and results-driven, consistently delivering outstanding culinary experiences.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Cook
High Street, South Corner Store
06.2023 - Current
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Managed time by organizing and prioritizing kitchen duties to prepare and serve food quickly.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- 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.
Chef
The American Hotel Echuca
09.2018 - 04.2024
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Prepared meals from scratch using authentic, popular recipes to generate repeat business.
- Successfully met dietary requirements for diverse clientele by providing customized meal options upon request.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality culinary creations.
- Monitored line processes to maintain consistency in quality, quantity, and presentation.
- Adapted menus seasonally, incorporating fresh produce to create visually appealing and flavorful dishes.
- Collaborated effectively with front-of-house team for seamless dining experience and positive customer feedback.
- Organized and led team participation in community events, raising restaurant's profile and engaging with potential customers.
Education
Certificate 3 Comercial Cookery - Hospitality
Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE
Bendigo-Echuca, VIC02-2024
Skills
- Customer Service
- Cooking
- Cleaning and organization
- Food handling
- Frying
- Knife Skills
- Sanitation
- Grilling
- Food plating and presentation
- Sauce making
- Recipes and menu planning
- Ingredient Selection
Timeline
Cook
High Street, South Corner Store
06.2023 - Current
Chef
The American Hotel Echuca
09.2018 - 04.2024
Certificate 3 Comercial Cookery - Hospitality
Bendigo Regional Institute of TAFE