Adam Holik
O'Fallon
Summary
Dynamic Kitchen Manager with extensive experience, excelling in food safety and sanitation while fostering team collaboration. Proven track record in enhancing kitchen efficiency and developing innovative menu items, leading to increased guest satisfaction and positive health inspection results. Skilled in training staff and optimizing kitchen operations for peak performance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Chef
Meridian Village
Glen Carbon, IL
12.2024 - 03.2025
- Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Utilized proper cleaning techniques to sanitize counters and utensils used in preparation of raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Successfully met dietary requirements for diverse clientele by providing customized meal options upon request.
Kitchen Manager
Chaos Sushi Bar & Grill
Belleville, IL
02.2023 - 10.2024
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to all health department regulations and guidelines.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Mentored and trained new team members, fostering a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by implementing streamlined processes and optimizing staff scheduling.
- Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
- Developed and implemented kitchen policies and procedures to establish clear guidelines for kitchen operations and comply with regulations.
Sous Chef
Keystone Place at Richland Creek
O'Fallon, IL
06.2021 - 02.2023
- Collaborated with executive chef to develop innovative menu items, leading to increased guest return rates and positive reviews.
- Played a key role in achieving positive health inspection results by maintaining strict compliance with all relevant guidelines and regulations throughout daily operations.
- Mentored junior kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative work environment that improved overall team performance.
- Implemented proper cleaning procedures, ensuring a safe and sanitary kitchen workspace compliant with health department regulations.
- Ensured consistent quality control of all dishes leaving the kitchen, resulting in a reputation for excellence among patrons.
Kitchen Manager
Ravanelli's Restaurant
Collinsville, IL
05.2010 - 06.2021
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to all health department regulations and guidelines.
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Mentored and trained new team members, fostering a positive culture of teamwork and collaboration within the kitchen staff.
- Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
- Collaborated with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen team and service areas for optimal guest experiences.
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Consistently met or exceeded local health department inspection requirements through diligent adherence to safety protocols and maintaining thorough documentation records.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by implementing streamlined processes and optimizing staff scheduling.
- Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
Education
Associates Of Applied Science - Criminal Justice
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, IL05.2013
Skills
- Food safety and sanitation
- Customer service
- Knife skills
- Cooking techniques
- Food quality
- Kitchen management
- Meal preparation
- Attention to detail
- Effective communications
- Kitchen operations
- Team collaboration
- Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
- Verbal and written communication
- Frying techniques
- Kitchen equipment operation
- Recipes and menu planning
- Hospitality service expertise
- Food plating and presentation
- Sauce preparation
- Sanitation guidelines
- Recipe creation
- Inventory management
- Workflow optimization
- Sanitation practices
- Staff coordination
- Menu development
- Performance improvement
- New hire training
- Time management
- Multitasking and organization
- Food storage
- Kitchen crew training
Timeline
Chef
Meridian Village
12.2024 - 03.2025
Kitchen Manager
Chaos Sushi Bar & Grill
02.2023 - 10.2024
Sous Chef
Keystone Place at Richland Creek
06.2021 - 02.2023
Kitchen Manager
Ravanelli's Restaurant
05.2010 - 06.2021
Associates Of Applied Science - Criminal Justice
Southwestern Illinois College