- Cooking, Cake Decorating
- Volunteering for community initiatives to give back to local communities in youth sport
- Balancing physical health with mental and emotional wellness
- Enjoying time with friends and family
Rita Carruthers
South Windsor,NSW
Summary
Accomplished Chef with a proven track record, enhancing kitchen efficiency and reducing food waste through innovative preparation techniques. Skilled in food safety and sanitation, coupled with exceptional team collaboration, I've successfully mentored staff, ensuring service excellence and compliance with health standards. My expertise in cooking methodologies and allergen awareness consistently delivers high-quality dining experiences. Avid learner with a strength to adapt to new challenges.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chef
HealthShare NSW
07.2024 - Current
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Informed Executive Chef to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Utilized proper cleaning techniques to sanitize counters and utensils used in preparation of food.
- Optimized food preparation processes, implementing time-saving techniques without compromising quality and reducing food waste
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks.
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan meal services.
- Coordinated with team members to prepare orders on time.
- Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
Chef
St.John of God
11.2016 - 07.2024
- Upheld stringent food safety regulations, ensuring compliance with all relevant health department guidelines.
- Adapted menus seasonally, incorporating fresh produce to create visually appealing and flavorful dishes.
- Customized meal plans for guests with dietary restrictions, ensuring welcoming and inclusive dining experience.
- Evaluated food products to verify freshness and quality.
- Monitored food production to verify quality and consistency.
Bakery Manager
North Richmond Bakehouse
07.2003 - 09.2021
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment by enforcing strict adherence to food safety guidelines and regulations.
- Arranged bakery displays to showcase baked goods, cakes, and pies to drive product sales.
- Managed inventory and reduced waste, resulting in cost savings for the bakery.
- Provided excellent customer service by addressing concerns promptly and professionally, resulting in repeat business.
- Enforced compliance with food safety standards with proper food storage, sanitation and labeling.
- Handled staff scheduling, ensuring adequate coverage during peak times while minimizing labor costs.
- Managed all baking operations professionally and handled all problems confidently.
- Assisted in designing new menu items, incorporating seasonal ingredients for optimal freshness and taste.
- Oversaw all aspects of quality control to maintain consistently high standards for baked goods produced at the facility.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of raw materials.
- Streamlined cake decoration process, significantly reducing preparation time while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Fostered team environment that encouraged skill development, leading to improved product consistency and staff morale.
- Volunteered for extra shifts during holidays and other busy periods to alleviate staffing shortages.
Education
Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
TAFE NSW
NSW10-2024
Skills
- Managerial Skills
- Computer Skills
- Food safety and sanitation
- Service Excellence
- Cooking Methodologies
- Meal preparation
- Effective communications
- Team collaboration
- Verbal and written communication
- Attention to detail
- Allergen awareness
- Ingredient knowledge
- Workflow optimization
- Cost control
- Portion and cost control
- Food inventories
- Staff coordination
- Budgeting and cost control
- Food cost analysis
Accomplishments
- Experience in day to day operations of both front and back of house managing a team of 15 staff members.
- Demonstrated computer skills and Windows based programs including CBORD
- Ensured safe and efficient kitchen operations in critical events. Such as COVID, Floods, Fires and kitchen breakdowns.
- Adapting to changing environment.
Certification
- NSW FSS (Food Supervisors Certificate)
- Cert IV in Commercial Cookery
- HACCP Certification (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points) - International HACCP Alliance.
- Safe Quality Food Practitioner Certificate – Safe Quality Food Institute.
- Food Allergy Training Certificate–Food Allergy Research & Education.
- Professional Chocolatier
- NSW Driver's License
Interests
Timeline
Chef
HealthShare NSW
07.2024 - Current
Chef
St.John of God
11.2016 - 07.2024
Bakery Manager
North Richmond Bakehouse
07.2003 - 09.2021
Food Safety Supervisor Certificate
TAFE NSW
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