Gregory Ogurkiewicz
Palos Hills
Summary
Dynamic Chef skilled in developing seasonal menus and executing large-scale events. Recognized for effective team leadership and maintaining food costs at 25%, while enhancing guest satisfaction through innovative culinary offerings.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Chef
Sheraton Suites
Elk Grove Village, IL
01.2026 - Current
- Directed all food and beverage operation's for a full service hotel, overseeing breakfast and dinner restaurant service, banquet operations, catering events, and special functions.
- Managed and developed kitchen staff through hiring, training, coaching, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions, while maintaining a positive work environment.
- Created and implemented seasonal menus, banquet menus, weekly specials, focused on quality and consistency.
- Maintained a food cost at approximately 25% through strategic purchasing, recipe development, inventory control, waste reduction,and labor management.
- Responsible for all food and beverage ordering, vendor relations, product sourcing, contract negations, and reviving procedures.
- Collaborated with the hotels leadership, sales, and banquet teams to execute weddings, corporate meetings, conferences, and social gatherings ranging from small to large scale functions.
- Managed labor costs through effective scheduling, forecasting, and productivity planning based on occupancy, and event volume.
Sous Chef
Le Meridien Hotel
Oak Brook, IL
12.2021 - 01.2026
- Supervised kitchen staff to ensure adherence to quality standards and safety protocols.
- Developed and executed innovative menu items, enhancing guest dining experience.
- Coordinated food preparation processes, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality dishes.
- Trained new culinary team members on techniques and kitchen equipment operation.
- Collaborated with management to optimize inventory levels and reduce waste efficiently.
- Achieved consistency in dish presentation, setting high standards that were replicated across all servings.
- Assisted in managing daily kitchen operations, ensuring smooth workflow during peak hours.
Lead Line Cook
Topaz Cafe
Burr Ridge, IL
01.2021 - 12.2021
- Supervised daily kitchen operations, ensuring quality and consistency in food preparation.
- Mentored junior cooks, enhancing skill development and teamwork within the kitchen staff.
- Streamlined inventory management processes to reduce waste and optimize ingredient usage.
- Developed new menu items based on seasonal ingredients, improving customer satisfaction and sales.
- Implemented food safety protocols, maintaining compliance with health regulations and standards.
- Trained new employees on kitchen procedures and equipment operation for improved efficiency.
Chef
La Cuisine Catering
Downers Grove, IL
05.2018 - 08.2020
- Prepared diverse menu items following standardized recipes to ensure consistency and quality.
- Operated kitchen equipment safely, maintaining cleanliness and adherence to health regulations.
- hands on experience in executing large scale events, weddings, corporate meetings, and deliveries.
Education
Associate of Science - Culinart Arts
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL05-2020
Skills
- Food safety
- Menu planning
- Cost control
- Menu development
- ServSafe certification
- Team leadership
- Hiring, training, and development
- Inventory control
- Kitchen management
- Operations management
- Vendor relationship management
- Special events
- Catering and events
- Staff training
- Inventory management
- Banquets and catering
- Staff scheduling
- Dietary restrictions
- Recipe creation
- Attention to detail
- Staff management
- Fine dining
- Menu supervision
- Allergy awareness
- Forecasting and planning
- Order management
- Waste reduction
- Recipe development
- Workflow optimization
- BOH operations
Timeline
Executive Chef
Sheraton Suites
01.2026 - Current
Sous Chef
Le Meridien Hotel
12.2021 - 01.2026
Lead Line Cook
Topaz Cafe
01.2021 - 12.2021
Chef
La Cuisine Catering
05.2018 - 08.2020
Associate of Science - Culinart Arts
College of DuPage