Experienced with culinary arts, focusing on menu development and kitchen management. Utilizes creativity and organizational skills to maintain high standards in food quality. Track record of leading teams effectively and adapting to changing demands in high-pressure environments.
Work History
Executive Chef/Kitchen Manager
6 Years 10 Months
QUEEN MARGARET'S SCHOOL | 07.2019 - 05.2026
Kitchen manager in very high volume independent school.
Improved the lunch program from okay to excellent
Catered high end events at the school (Gala fundraisers at $200 plate; annual donor reception; grad luncheon and much more)
Budgets
Menu development
Scheduling
Staff development
Food ordering and inventory
Assistant to the Food and Beverage Manager
1 Year
Vancouver Folk Festival | 07.2023 - 07.2024
Started off volunteering in the kitchen at the Folk Festival then moved up to Sous Chef for the 3 years prior to Covid.
Post covid I volunteered again and was asked to help run the Food and Beverage department. I trained and directed volunteers, in addition to helping set up and tear down the F&B area of the festival
Food Service Manager
3 Years 1 Month
Salvation Army , Harbour Light | 04.2016 - 05.2019
Managed high volume union kitchen serving the underhoused population in Vancouver downtown eastside
Menu development using donated and purchased foods
Scheduling
Discipline
Purchasing foods and kitchen items
Chef/kitchen manager
2 Years 1 Month
Compass group | 03.2014 - 04.2016
Managed a small cafeteria in office building
Ordering
Scheduling
Catering
Menu development
Food Service Supervisor
1 Year 8 Months
Gate Gourmet | 06.2012 - 02.2014
Supervising staff in a high volume me airline kitchen facility
Chef/Kitchen Manager
3 Years 7 Months
First united church | 10.2008 - 05.2012
Managed a high volume food service operation servicing the under housed in Vancouver
Staff and volunteer development
Menu planning in a very strict burger
Scheduling
Ordering
Owner/Operator
4 Years 8 Months
Gourmet Girl Catering and Personal Chef | 11.2003 - 07.2008
Chef of small catering company. I did small intimate catering from 2 people to larger gatherings, up to 120. I did elegant catering, teaching cooking, large BBQs and company staff parties, in addition to in home Personal Chef services. I did all the planning, purchasing and execution of the events as well as staying within the prescribed budgets.
Director of Support Services
5 Years 9 Months
Rosewood Manor | 08.1997 - 05.2003
Managed food, laundry and housekeeping in a long term care facility
Unionized facility
Menu development
Staff development
Ordering
Cook
13 Years 8 Months
Variety of restaurants | 07.1979 - 03.1993
The first part of my career was spent as a line cook in a variety of restaurants both on Vancouver Island and in Vancouver (the Bluenose -Cowichan Bay, the Parrot House - Victoria, Fogg and Suds - Vancouver, English Bay Cafe and Sheraton Cloud Nine - Vancouver).
Education
College diploma - Nutrition and food service management
Langara College | Vancouver, BC | 04-1998
Graduation Dean's List, Winter/Spring 1998
Bachelor's - First Nations history in Canada
Simon Fraser University | Burnaby, BC | 01-1992
Completed apprenticeship - Cooking
BCIT | Burnaby, BC | 10-1986
Red Seal Cook's Papers, BCIT, Completed 1986
Skills
Catering management
Order management system
Food safety
Menu planning and development
Cost control
Staff scheduling
Strong work ethic
ServSafe certification
Team leadership
Hiring
training
and development
Inventory control
Kitchen management
Accomplishments
Managed back of house operations for 500 student independent school.
Ensured safe and efficient kitchen operations while managing a BOH staff of 15.
Prepared 200 meals, including appetizers and desserts, for high-volume catering event.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Certification
Class 5 Licence April 2026 to April 2031
First Aid Certification February 2026 to February 2031
Food safe level 1 August 2024 to August 2029
Serving It Right July 2024 to July 2029
Timeline
Assistant to the Food and Beverage Manager
Vancouver Folk Festival
07.2023 - 07.2024Read More
Executive Chef/Kitchen Manager
QUEEN MARGARET'S SCHOOL
07.2019 - 05.2026Read More
Food Service Manager
Salvation Army , Harbour Light
04.2016 - 05.2019Read More
Chef/kitchen manager
Compass group
03.2014 - 04.2016Read More
Food Service Supervisor
Gate Gourmet
06.2012 - 02.2014Read More
Chef/Kitchen Manager
First united church
10.2008 - 05.2012Read More
Owner/Operator
Gourmet Girl Catering and Personal Chef
11.2003 - 07.2008Read More
Director of Support Services
Rosewood Manor
08.1997 - 05.2003Read More
Cook
Variety of restaurants
07.1979 - 03.1993Read More
Simon Fraser University
Bachelor's from First Nations history in Canada
Read More
Langara College
College diploma from Nutrition and food service management