Juan Menchaca
Carpentersville,IL
Summary
Dynamic kitchen professional with extensive experience at Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurant, excelling in food safety and kitchen organization. Proven ability to enhance customer satisfaction through meticulous meal preparation and effective team collaboration. Recognized for mentoring staff and maintaining high sanitation standards, contributing to a positive workplace culture.
Experienced with preparing and cooking variety of dishes in fast-paced kitchen environment. Utilizes effective time management and multitasking skills to ensure efficient meal preparation. Knowledge of maintaining food safety standards and creating collaborative team atmosphere.
Flexible Cook willing to work weekends, holidays and evenings. Comfortable working in fast-paced environments in team setting. Background in maintaining kitchen sanitation, preparing basic components of dishes and working within team of cooks.
Experienced leader with strong background in guiding teams, managing complex projects, and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Line Cook
Southern Belles Pancake House
06.2022 - 07.2024
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a clean and safe working environment, adhering to health and safety guidelines.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Adapted quickly to new recipes and techniques, demonstrating versatility and eagerness to learn from colleagues.
- Prepared and cooked full course meals based on restaurant recipes and specifications.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Upheld strict sanitation standards while preparing meals, maintaining a clean workspace free of cross-contamination risks.
- Expedited service during peak hours by coordinating with fellow line cooks on timing of dish completion.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by streamlining prep tasks and effectively organizing workstations.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Increased kitchen productivity by keeping tools organized for easy access when needed.
- Supported head chef during high-volume periods by efficiently executing complex tasks with precision under pressure.
- Boosted employee morale through positive attitude, willingness to assist others when needed.
Kitchen Manager
Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurant
02.2011 - 06.2022
- 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.
- Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
- Consistently met or exceeded local health department inspection requirements through diligent adherence to safety protocols and maintaining thorough documentation records.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction with attentiveness to dietary restrictions and allergen concerns in menu offerings.
- Developed and implemented kitchen policies and procedures to establish clear guidelines for kitchen operations and comply with regulations.
- Implemented and maintained food safety and sanitation standards to establish safe handling and preparation of food.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
- Contributed to a positive workplace culture by actively engaging with staff members, promoting open communication channels, and demonstrating support for ongoing professional development opportunities.
Skills
- Meal preparation
- Food safety
- Recipe execution
- Kitchen organization
- Inventory management
- Time management
- Customer service
- Team collaboration
- Sanitation practices
- Stress management
- Professional attitude
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Limited Working
Timeline
Line Cook
Southern Belles Pancake House
06.2022 - 07.2024
Kitchen Manager
Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurant
02.2011 - 06.2022
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