ARLENE GONZALEZ
Long Beach
Summary
Detail-oriented culinary worker with extensive experience in food preparation and sanitation. Skilled in team collaboration, quality control, and inventory management, contributing to efficient meal service during peak hours and enhancing overall customer experiences.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
GM Clerk
Vons Grocery Store
Long Beach
06.2008 - 10.2023
- Assisted customers with product inquiries and store navigation.
- Processed transactions accurately at the register.
- Stocked shelves and organized merchandise for optimal display.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure efficient operations.
- Handled customer complaints with professionalism and care.
- Monitored inventory levels and reported shortages to management.
- Trained new employees on store policies and procedures.
- Assisted customers with product selection, purchase decisions and inquiries.
- Resolved conflicts between customers or staff members in a professional manner.
- Organized merchandise displays to attractively showcase products according to company standards.
- Processed customer orders in a timely manner and ensured delivery of products to customers.
- Analyzed feedback from customers about their experiences with products or services offered by the store.
- Ensured compliance with all health codes and safety regulations while maintaining cleanliness throughout the facility.
- Maintained accurate inventory records through regular stock counts.
- Assisted in organizing special events held at the store such as discounts or sales promotions.
- Stocked shelves with new merchandise and checked for outdated or damaged items.
- Lifted materials of varied weights on regular basis.
- Received incoming product deliveries and relocated to storage shelves, coolers, or bins.
- Moved and rebuilt shelves, racks and displays to increase visibility of merchandise.
- Followed proper stock rotation procedures to minimize obsolescence and remove out of date items from sales floor.
- Updated product labels to reflect accurate pricing.
- Used excellent verbal skills to engage customers in conversation and effectively determine needs and requirements.
- Listened to customer needs to identify and recommend best products and services.
- Greeted and assisted customers to foster positive experiences.
- Maintained well-stocked and organized sales floor with latest merchandise to drive sustained sales revenue.
- Replenished and arranged items to maintain appearance.
- Recognized security risks to properly handle situations.
- Engaged casual shoppers to provide information about featured products and recommend merchandise, driving sales opportunities.
Deli/Bakery Sales Clerk
Walmart
Charleston, IL
11.2023 - 02.2024
- Helped customers locate ideal menu items by listening to needs and recommending specific products or services.
- Decorated and merchandised quality bakery goods to build business reputation and revenue base.
- Monitored counter and display inventory by replacing stock and requesting new products from kitchen to keep areas well-stocked for maximum sales.
- Arranged bakery displays to showcase baked goods, cakes, and pies to drive product sales.
Culinary Worker III
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston
02.2024 - 10.2025
- Prepared food items following established recipes and safety protocols.
- Maintained cleanliness of kitchen equipment and food preparation areas.
- Assisted in inventory management and stock rotation for kitchen supplies.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure efficient meal service during peak hours.
- Operated kitchen appliances safely while adhering to health guidelines.
- Monitored food quality and freshness during preparation and service.
- Supported catering events by setting up dining areas and serving food.
- Participated in training new staff on kitchen procedures and safety practices.
- Cleaned food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.
- Operated various kitchen appliances such as ovens, stoves, grills, fryers.
- Adhered to safety standards when handling knives and other kitchen equipment.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary work station adhering to all health codes and regulations.
- Organized kitchen inventory and supplies for efficient operation.
- Readied plates for presentation including garnishes, sauces, seasonings.
- Monitored quality control of products; discarded any spoiled food items.
- Cooked, baked and otherwise prepared entrees, sides and desserts, following recipes to meet quantity and quality requirements.
- Observed regulatory requirements and company policies in implementing personal hygiene and work area sanitation procedures.
- Inspected equipment for cleanliness prior to use.
- Measured ingredients required for specific dishes.
- Kept records of the amount of ingredients used in each dish.
- Recorded temperatures of refrigerators and freezers throughout the day.
- Assisted in the development of menu items by creating new recipes and plate presentations.
- Read recipe directions to operate cooking equipment and select appropriate ingredients, observing standards of quality to optimize customer satisfaction.
- Ensured that all orders were prepared within specified time limits.
- Tasted test dishes before serving them to guests or customers.
- Set up and maintained production stations for salads and other menu items, verifying availability and quality of ingredients and assisting with tracking ingredients needing ordering.
- Washed, peeled and chopped fruits and vegetables using knives, choppers and other tools and eliminating old or unfit ingredients from kitchen inventory.
- Prepared appetizers, entrees and desserts according to recipes.
- Reviewed daily specials with restaurant staff members.
- Prepared cold items such as salads, sandwiches and desserts, following recipes and modifying to customer specifications.
- Checked freshness of food before using it in order preparation.
- Cleaned and sanitized work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, and silverware.
- Performed variety of duties related to food service.
- Set up, restocked and cleaned dining areas.
- Followed staff performance and service standards to deliver consistent and positive customer experiences.
- Maintained professional demeanor during interactions with customers and co-workers.
- Received food orders from individuals and explained offerings.
- Followed recipes and customer requests to prepare meals.
- Acquired new skills to support team and further accommodate customer needs.
- Prevented spoilage and cross-contamination by storing food in designated containers and storage areas.
- Stored perishable food items in freezer or refrigerator to protect from spoilage.
- Complied with company service standards and adhered to inventory and cash control procedures.
- Maintained high standards of customer service during high-volume work shifts and fast-paced operations.
- Cleaned and sanitized kitchen equipment, utensils and work stations.
- Prepared variety of foods according to exact instructions and recipe specifications.
- Stored food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.
- Prepared workstations with ingredients and tools to increase efficiency.
- Restocked cupboards, refrigerators and service stations with new food items or supplies.
- Helped management stay on top of supply needs by sharing information about low or spoiled inventory.
- Cut or sliced meat, poultry and seafood to prepare for cooking.
- Distributed food to waiters and waitresses to serve customers.
- Placed food trays over warmers for immediate service or stored in refrigerated storage cabinets.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Polytechnic University of The Philippines
Mandaluyong, Manila 06.1982 - 04.1986
Skills
- Food preparation
- Sanitation practices
- Kitchen equipment operation
- Recipe adherence
- Menu development
- Inventory management
- Customer service
- Team collaboration
- Quality control
- Time management
- Conflict resolution
- Training others
- Attention to detail
- Food presentation
- Special diets
- Cooking methods
- Garnishing techniques
- Ingredient knowledge
- Recipe development
- Pastry creation
- Grilling techniques
- Portion control
- Menu planning
- Food storage
- Allergen awareness
- Food service industry trends awareness
- Food serving
- Food service sales techniques
- Waste and trash disposal
- Safe food handling
- Food allergy awareness
- Food labeling
- Positive attitude
- Flexible schedule
- Multitasking
- Dishwashing and sanitization
- Quick learner
- Professional appearance maintenance
- ServSafe certification
- Productivity and efficiency
- Food pairing
- Working with diverse people
- Work station setup
- Team oriented
- Order review
- Plating and presentation
- Food storage practices
- Cooking procedures
- Plates presentation
- Equipment operation
- Special dietary needs
- Basic mathematics
- Reliability and punctuality
- Soup preparation
- Food portioning control
- Work station sanitation
- Menu memorization
- Fast-paced environment
- Food and safety standards
- Sanitation standards compliance
- Time management proficiency
Certification
- SafeServ Certificate
Timeline
Culinary Worker III
Eastern Illinois University
02.2024 - 10.2025
Deli/Bakery Sales Clerk
Walmart
11.2023 - 02.2024
GM Clerk
Vons Grocery Store
06.2008 - 10.2023
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Polytechnic University of The Philippines
06.1982 - 04.1986