Sonya Purss
Kingston South East,SA
Summary
Meticulous short order cook focused on maintaining quality and safety standards. Experienced in managing inventory and training new staff, contributing to a streamlined kitchen operation and exceptional customer experiences. Experienced in fast-paced environments and adaptable to last-minute changes. Thrives under pressure and consistently earns high marks for work quality and speed. Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills. An organized and motivated individual, eager to utilize time management and organizational skills across diverse settings. Seeking entry-level opportunities to enhance abilities while contributing to company growth. Dedicated and adaptable professional with a proactive attitude and the ability to learn quickly. Strong work ethic and effective communication skills. Eager to contribute to a dynamic team and support organizational goals.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
8
8
Certifications
Work History
Short Order Cook
Lacepede Seafood
Kingston South East, SA
09.2022 - Current
- Prepared seafood dishes following standard recipes and customer preferences.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization in kitchen and food preparation areas.
- Operated kitchen equipment safely and efficiently during high-pressure service times.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely meal delivery to customers.
- Processed food orders accurately, prioritizing customer requests during peak hours.
- Monitored inventory levels of ingredients, notifying management of shortages promptly.
- Assisted in training new staff on kitchen procedures and food safety protocols.
- Adapted to changing menus and special requests from customers seamlessly.
- Operated fryers and grills according to instructions to maintain safety and food quality.
- Prepared and cooked food items such as sandwiches, salads, hamburgers, french fries, fried chicken, and other menu items according to established recipes.
- Stocked refrigerators with meats, cheeses and condiments for use in preparing short order meals.
- Maintained cleanliness of work areas by sweeping and mopping floors; washing walls; cleaning shelves, tables and equipment.
- Followed proper food handling methods and maintained correct food temperature for high scores on health inspections.
- Weighed out portions of ingredients prior to cooking process in order to maintain consistency among orders.
- Followed safety policies and procedures while operating kitchen equipment such as grills, ovens and fryers.
- Utilized first in, first out method to cycle through stock and keep food fresher.
- Assisted in preparation of menu items ranging from burgers to sandwiches.
- Set up food plating line for quick and smooth flow.
- Cooked large batches of food quickly while following instructions accurately.
- Produced small to large batches of food items using full range of cooking techniques.
- Assisted other cooks during peak hours by taking orders from customers or helping plate dishes for service.
- Monitored quality of food served during meal periods to determine if adjustments needed to be made in preparation or presentation methods.
- Ensured that all foods were stored properly at the appropriate temperature levels.
- Checked temperatures of freezers, grills and fryers to ensure safe operation.
- Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces, and salads.
- Prepared quality food and labeled, dated and covered items to preserve freshness.
- Discarded expired products according to safety guidelines set forth by local health department regulations.
- Trained new employees on the proper use of kitchen tools and techniques related to short order cooking.
- Sanitized workstation before and after shift to prevent illness and food contamination.
- Helped other staff members complete job tasks during peak times to keep kitchen running efficiently.
- Handled advanced thawing and food pre-preparation for upcoming meals.
- Helped management stay on top of supply needs by sharing information about low or spoiled inventory.
Bartender
Various Employers
Various, Victoria, NSW, South Australia
01.2000 - 01.2024
- Mixed cocktails and served beverages to enhance customer experience.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of the bar area.
- Assisted customers with drink selections and provided recommendations.
- Managed inventory of liquor, mixers, and garnishes efficiently.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation and customer service standards.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to synchronize food and drink orders.
- Handled cash transactions and processed payments accurately.
- Engaged with patrons to create a welcoming atmosphere at the bar.
- Performed opening and closing duties including restocking supplies.
- Greeted customers and provided excellent customer service.
- Developed good working relationships with fellow employees through effective communication.
- Operated cash register and Point of Sale (POS) system for transactions and made proper change for cash transactions.
- Managed cash drawer at the end of each shift ensuring accuracy of funds received.
- Processed payments accurately and efficiently with POS system.
- Prepared cocktails from bar recipes and served wine, draft and bottled beer.
- Ensured proper sanitation of bar area, glassware, utensils, and equipment.
- Resolved customer complaints in a professional manner.
- Poured wine, beer, and cocktails for patrons.
- Maintained inventory of liquor, beer, wine, and other beverage items.
- Trained new bartenders on drink preparation and upselling techniques.
- Maintained knowledge of bar and menu options to prepare drinks and make food recommendations.
- Monitored guests' alcohol consumption levels to prevent over-intoxication or underage drinking.
- Checked identification cards for proof of age prior to serving alcohol beverages.
- Followed alcohol awareness procedures for preventing intoxication and handling intoxicated guests.
- Provided drink suggestions to customers based on their preferences.
- Assisted in setting up the bar for service shift.
- Stocked ice bins and coolers as needed throughout shift.
- Balanced daily registers and generated sales reports for management.
- Kept track of bar tabs and transferred open tabs to dining area for wait staff.
- Collected and organized daily till totals and tips.
- Cleansed glasses with sanitizing solution after each use.
- Attended regular training sessions to stay updated on new products or trends.
- Effectively multitasked within fast-paced environment.
- Made friendly conversation with customers to provide enjoyable bar experience.
- Remained calm and poised during busy periods, promoting great customer service to guests.
- Managed accurate bar tabs and processed cash and credit card transactions.
Bakery Assistant
NKD Enterprises
Kingston South East, SA
05.2021 - 05.2022
- Assisted in preparing and baking a variety of bread and pastries.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of the bakery workspace.
- Operated baking equipment, including ovens and mixers, efficiently.
- Supported inventory management by restocking ingredients as needed.
- Followed food safety protocols to ensure product quality and compliance.
- Provided exceptional customer service at the bakery counter.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary work area throughout the day.
- Washed preparation utensils, tools, and machinery by hand and using industrial dishwasher, segregating used utensils from clean to prevent cross-contamination.
- Set up fresh baked goods in front display, organizing for visibility, and to showcase daily specials or items with limited availability or shelf-life.
- Packaged bakery items and purchases in boxes and bags for customer carrying convenience.
- Restock shelves with freshly made products.
- Ensured that all safety protocols were followed while working in the bakery area.
- Served customers at the front counter by providing product information and taking orders.
Supermarket Supervisor
Eudunda Farmers
Kingston South East, SA
05.2014 - 05.2021
- Managed daily operations to ensure smooth store functionality.
- Supervised staff to maintain excellent customer service standards.
- Oversaw inventory management to optimize stock levels and product availability.
- Implemented promotional strategies to enhance product visibility and sales.
- Trained new employees on store policies and operational procedures.
- Conducted regular inspections to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Collaborated with suppliers for timely delivery of quality products.
- Resolved customer complaints efficiently to uphold store reputation and satisfaction.
- Assisted customers with locating products or answering questions about store offerings.
- Inspected shelves regularly to ensure that merchandise is properly displayed according to company standards.
- Ensured compliance with all health codes and safety regulations within the store.
- Provided training to new employees on company policies, procedures, and job duties.
- Evaluated existing processes for efficiency improvements by making relevant changes where necessary.
- Monitored inventory levels and ordered new stock when necessary.
- Developed and implemented strategies to improve customer service in the supermarket.
- Conducted regular audits of cash registers to detect any discrepancies in sales figures.
- Resolved customer complaints promptly in a professional manner.
- Responded to customer concerns and conveyed details about results.
- Trained new hires on customer service and rotation practices.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Completed thorough opening, closing, and shift change functions to maintain operational standards each day.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
- Processed customer transactions efficiently at busy retail locations.
- Maintained accurate cash registers and handled cash management duties.
- Assisted customers with product inquiries and provided exceptional service.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure smooth store operations.
- Managed inventory restocking and organization on the sales floor.
- Trained new staff on register operations and customer service protocols.
- Resolved customer complaints effectively, enhancing satisfaction levels.
- Ensured cleanliness and orderliness of checkout areas throughout shifts.
- Operated cash register efficiently and accurately, processed payments by cash, check, credit card, gift card or automatic debit.
- Accepted cash and credit card payments, issued receipts and provided change.
- Operated cash register or POS system to receive payment by cash, check and credit card.
- Collected payments and provided accurate change.
- Greeted customers and answered any questions they had about the store's products and services.
- Performed other duties as assigned by management.
- Stocked shelves with merchandise when needed.
- Helped customers find specific products, answered questions, and offered product advice.
- Issued receipts, refunds, credits or change due to customers.
- Delivered high level of customer service to patrons using active listening and engagement skills.
Education
High School Diploma -
Saint Josephs Secondary College
Wangaratta, VICSkills
- Food preparation
- Kitchen equipment operation
- Food safety compliance
- Inventory management
- Order accuracy
- Customer service
- Cash handling
- Time management
- Team collaboration
- Operational efficiency
- Effective communication
- Attention to detail
- Stock rotation
- Food storage
- Work under pressure
- Efficient multitasking
Certification
RSA & Responsible Persons Badge
Timeline
Short Order Cook
Lacepede Seafood
09.2022 - Current
Bakery Assistant
NKD Enterprises
05.2021 - 05.2022
Supermarket Supervisor
Eudunda Farmers
05.2014 - 05.2021
Bartender
Various Employers
01.2000 - 01.2024
High School Diploma -
Saint Josephs Secondary College