Nathan Reynolds
Berwick,VIC
Summary
Talented kitchen leader and team motivator successful at maintaining staff focus, efficiency and productivity in high-volume, fast-paced operations. Experienced with different types of cuisine, sourcing ingredients, controlling budgets and boosting restaurant profiles. I have worked in three of the highest rating restaurants and cafes but that has only been possible because of my exceptional leadership, attention to detail and time management skills.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Chef
Degraves Espresso Melbourne
Melbourne, Victoria
04.2022 - Current
- Led kitchen operations for Degraves Espresso Melbourne's breakfast and brunch service
- Developed seasonal menu items for Melbourne cafe dining and cabinet offerings
- Supervised kitchen staff through prep, plating, and service standards
- Coordinated food safety procedures and ensured HACCP compliance across daily operations, enhancing overall kitchen safety
- Managed stock rotation, ordering, and kitchen inventory for fresh ingredients
- Trained cooks on espresso cafe menu preparation and presentation standards
- Communicated with front-of-house staff to support smooth café service
- Monitored the kitchen area and staff to maintain overall safety and establish proper food handling techniques.
- Developed menus and recipes for a variety of dishes, including appetizers, entrees, desserts, and specialty items.
- Performed regular maintenance tasks such as cleaning equipment, utensils, floors, walls, ensuring that all areas are kept clean and sanitary at all times.
- Organized special events such as banquets and catering services.
- Maintained accurate records of inventory, sales, labor costs, and other operational costs.
- Analyzed financial data related to labor costs, inventory expenses, and menu pricing to inform strategic decisions.
- Established portion control guidelines to minimize waste and optimize ingredient usage.
Sous Chef
O.MY Restaurant
Beaconsfield, VIC
11.2015 - 01.2021
- Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in a fast-paced environment.
- Established and updated staff schedules to ensure optimal coverage during peak service times.
- Plated every dish with attractive flair to meet strict restaurant standards and maintain a stellar business reputation.
- Mentored kitchen staff at all levels, preparing them for success in demanding roles.
- Supervised and enhanced the work of the team producing high levels of food.
- Mentored kitchen staff at all levels to prepare each for demanding roles.
- Plated every dish with attractive flair to meet strict restaurant standards and maintain a stellar business reputation.
- Prepared ingredients for fermentation, preservation, and garden-driven menu production.
Apprentice
Kettle Black
Melbourne, VIC
11.2014 - 11.2015
- Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in a fast-paced environment.
- Plated every dish with attractive flair to meet strict restaurant standards and maintain a stellar business reputation.
- Aligned seasonal plans with ingredient availability and key events to maximize promotional effectiveness.
Self Employed Carpenter
Myself
Berwick, VIC
01.2013 - 07.2014
- Completed precise joining and high-quality finish work by properly anchoring and bracing structures.
- Constructed 100s of custom built designs according to specifications.
- Fostered collaborative relationships with crew members, enhancing team dynamics and minimizing conflicts.
- Installed interior finish items, including wall protection, doors and hardware, toilet accessories, cubicle curtain tracks and TV brackets.
- Constructed 100s residential decks, carports, garages and sunrooms over 8 years in the trade.
- Managed diverse projects from initiation to completion, including garages, residential homes, and additions.
- Delivered hundreds of custom-built designs aligned with client specifications and expectations.
- Kept team members safe and job sites free of hazards by maintaining good organizational skills at all stages.
Qualified Carpenter
Q&J Constructions
Mornington, VIC
01.2011 - 01.2012
- Led a variety of projects from start to finish, including garages, residential homes and additions.
- Ensured safety of team members by implementing safety protocols and conducting regular safety checks. and job sites free of hazards by maintaining good organizational skills at all stages.
- Installed interior finish items, including wall protection, doors and hardware, toilet accessories, cubicle curtain tracks and TV brackets.
- Effectively used all fasteners such as nails, screws, pneumatic nailing systems, concrete anchors, powder-actuated fasteners and framing connectors.
- Coordinated project tasks by reviewing blueprints and specifications. by reading blueprints and assessing job specifications to determine optimal plans.
- Fostered strong relationships among team members to enhance collaboration. and resolved conflicts by fostering strong working relationships with crew members.
- Planned projects by identifying necessary equipment, tools, and required assistance.
- Streamlined project execution by interpreting blueprints and assessing job specifications to create optimal work plans.
- Inspected tools and equipment regularly to ensure proper functioning.
Apprentice Carpenter
Q&J Constructions
Mornington, VIC
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Worked with master carpenters to install decks for both residential and commercial customers.
- Collaborated with master carpenters to install decks, enhancing customer satisfaction for residential and commercial projects.
- Monitored tools and equipment conditions and arranged repairs.
- Organized project work by reading blueprints and assessing job specifications to determine optimal plans.
- Planned and executed work with proper tools and materials to maximize efficiency.
- Effectively used all fasteners such as nails, screws, pneumatic nailing systems, concrete anchors, powder-actuated fasteners and framing connectors.
- Cultivated positive working relationships with crew members, fostering a collaborative environment and minimizing conflicts.
- Assisted with the movement of materials and equipment to job sites.
- Maintained cleanliness of job site by properly disposing of debris in designated containers.
- Kept team members safe and job sites free of hazards by maintaining good organizational skills at all stages.
- Facilitated harmonious working relationships with crew members to prevent problems and conflicts.
- Incorporated feedback from foreman and journeyman carpenter into future projects to improve quality.
- Gained valuable education in residential and commercial building codes.
- Identified product defects and brought to the job foreman for resolution.
- Measured, cut, and installed insulation in residential and commercial buildings to enhance energy efficiency.
Mcdonalds Worker
Mcdonalds
Berwick, VIC
11.2006 - 01.2008
- Identified issues, analyzed information, and provided effective solutions to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to a supervisor.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving at work ready to start immediately.
- Devoted special emphasis to punctuality and worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving at work ready to start immediately.
- Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to a supervisor.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Executed daily tasks efficiently in a timely manner. efficiently accurately and efficiently.
Education
Certificate 3 in Building And Construction - Building And Construction
Chisolm Tafe
DandenongCertificate 3 in Cooking - Certificate 3 in Cooking
Chisolm Tafe
DandenongNo Degree - Year 11 Completed
Kambrya College
BerwickYear 9 Completed
Lyndhurst Secondary College
Cranbourne NorthGrade 6 Completed
Courtenay Gardens
Cranbourne NorthSkills
- Conflict Resolution
- Order Delivery Practices
- Menu Memorization
- Workflow Optimization
- Special requests
- Safe handling
- Leadership development
- Performance improvement
- Schedule Management
- Operations support
- Forecasting and planning
- Sanitation guidelines
- Fine-dining expertise
- Performance assessments
- Budgeting
- Menu development
- Kitchen operations
- HACCP compliance
- Inventory control
- Food costing
- Staff scheduling
- Stock ordering
- Food safety
- Recipe standardization
Timeline
Head Chef
Degraves Espresso Melbourne
04.2022 - Current
Sous Chef
O.MY Restaurant
11.2015 - 01.2021
Apprentice
Kettle Black
11.2014 - 11.2015
Self Employed Carpenter
Myself
01.2013 - 07.2014
Qualified Carpenter
Q&J Constructions
01.2011 - 01.2012
Apprentice Carpenter
Q&J Constructions
01.2008 - 01.2011
Mcdonalds Worker
Mcdonalds
11.2006 - 01.2008
Certificate 3 in Building And Construction - Building And Construction
Chisolm Tafe
Certificate 3 in Cooking - Certificate 3 in Cooking
Chisolm Tafe
No Degree - Year 11 Completed
Kambrya College
Year 9 Completed
Lyndhurst Secondary College
Grade 6 Completed
Courtenay Gardens