Aiden Howson
Ottawa,ON
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Kitchen Lead • Line Cook • Pass Coordinator
El Camino
Ottawa, Ontario
05.2023 - Current
- Ran the pass during dinner rushes — ensured flow, plating quality, and communication across BOH and FOH
- Prepped and executed dishes across the raw station, including tuna tartare, papaya salad, and lamb birria
- Took ownership of plating aesthetics and timing during peak hours
- Trained new hires on standards, flow, and rhythm of the kitchen
- Trusted with the kitchen’s most timing-sensitive and visible station
Overnight Server & Bartender
Zaks Diner
Ottawa
07.2023 - 01.2025
- Served full sections and bar guests during high-traffic overnight shifts in a busy downtown diner
- Handled late-night crowd dynamics with patience, consistency, and a sense of humor
- Balanced dine-in, bar, and takeout while maintaining pace and accuracy with minimal staffing
- Built strong regulars and held down the overnight shift reliably for over a year and a half
Produce & Prep Department Supervisor
Farm Boy
Kingston, Ontario
02.2021 - 05.2023
- Held a hybrid role across the Produce and Production departments, balancing FOH service with high-volume prep work
- Supervised day-to-day counter service during peak hours; led customer interactions, POS operations, and food handoff with speed and professionalism
- Prepped meals and produce for the hot foods counter and ready-to-go sections, ensuring quality, portioning, and presentation standards
- Trained and guided new staff across both departments to maintain pace, cleanliness, and product rotation
- Managed inventory checks, organized stock, and helped coordinate cross-department workflow to keep service smooth and shelves full
Age Compliance & Retail Auditor
Intouch Insight
Ottawa, Ontario
09.2019 - 03.2023
- Posed as a regular customer to test staff at LCBO, Beer Store, and national chains on real-world ID checks and service habits
- Evaluated how employees handled high-pressure, split-second decisions involving legal sales
- Audited floor cleanliness, customer engagement, and policy execution without being noticed
- Reported findings that directly influenced training, operations, and licensing compliance
Skills
- Quick, intuitive table management
- Smooth under pressure, even when it’s slammed
- Confident handling of POS and payments
- Experience with solo shifts and closing duties
Certification
- SmartServe
- Food Handler Certification
Timeline
Overnight Server & Bartender
Zaks Diner
07.2023 - 01.2025
Kitchen Lead • Line Cook • Pass Coordinator
El Camino
05.2023 - Current
Produce & Prep Department Supervisor
Farm Boy
02.2021 - 05.2023
Age Compliance & Retail Auditor
Intouch Insight
09.2019 - 03.2023