Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
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Garvell Dwyer

Garvell Dwyer

Toronto,ON

Summary

A versatile culinary professional with a proven track record in both back-of-house and front-of-house roles. I possess a keen sense of flavor and an innate ability to enhance guest experiences. My experience includes working in the kitchen at The Real Jerk and at renowned hotels such as Delta Chelsea and Four Points by Sheraton. I have a strong foundation in authentic Caribbean cuisine but also excel in menu revamps, guest interactions, and staff training. My culinary journey, supported by formal education from George Brown College and diverse roles in the hospitality sector, has equipped me with a unique blend of skills. These skills range from ingredient sourcing and recipe innovation to guest relations and team leadership. I approach culinary arts holistically, ensuring that every dish tells a story and every guest interaction adds a chapter.

Overview

1
1
Certification
2025
2025
years of professional experience

Work History

Guest Service Agent/Switchboard Operator/Designated Trainer

Delta Chelsea Hotel
  • Mastered the switchboard operations, ensuring swift communication between guests and culinary teams for timely service and special meal requests
  • Spearheaded training initiatives for new staff, instilling a deep appreciation for the hotel's culinary vision and ensuring consistent guest experiences
  • Acted as the primary point of contact for guest inquiries, expertly navigating questions about the hotel's menu, ingredient sources, and chef specialties
  • Addressed and resolved any dining-related concerns promptly, liaising with the kitchen to adapt and enhance meal offerings based on real-time feedback
  • Seamlessly juggled guest service responsibilities with switchboard operations, ensuring that guests were always connected to the right departments, especially the dining areas
  • Leveraged the role of Designated Trainer to gather insights and feedback, playing an instrumental role in refining both front-of-house and kitchen processes for optimal guest satisfaction
  • Remedied issues quickly and effectively through active listening, conflict resolution, and dynamic communication skills.

Youth Worker

East View Community Center
  • Oversaw and facilitated numerous group activities, enhancing teamwork, fostering self-awareness, and promoting personal growth among dedicated youth members
  • Collaborated with a dynamic multidisciplinary team to plan and implement specialized youth-centric programs, catering to both individual needs and group interests
  • Prioritized and maintained a safe, inclusive, and consistently positive environment; took initiatives to address and resolve conflicts as they surfaced
  • Designed and led educational workshops emphasizing skill development, intensive leadership training, and personal empowerment
  • Assisted in strategically organizing key community outreach events, building and nurturing relationships between the center and the broader community
  • Systematically maintained comprehensive records, closely tracked individual progress, and provided regular insightful feedback to parents and guardians
  • Supervised youth in residential and community-based programs to minimize risks and offer support.
  • Promoted a safe, inclusive environment by establishing clear expectations and reinforcing positive behaviors among participants.
  • Organized and facilitated recreational activities to engage youth in positive, team-building experiences.
  • Developed and maintained relationships with partner organizations to facilitate access to youth-related resources.

Cook/Chef

The Real Jerk
  • Crafted authentic Caribbean dishes, consistently receiving praise for flavor, presentation, and authenticity
  • Played a pivotal role in seasonal menu revamps, introducing modern twists to traditional recipes without compromising the essence of Caribbean flavors
  • Led a dynamic kitchen team, promoting a collaborative atmosphere and ensuring dishes were executed to the highest standards
  • Streamlined kitchen operations and workflows, reducing food preparation time without sacrificing quality or taste
  • Demonstrated a keen understanding of Caribbean spices and ingredients, optimizing inventory and reducing waste through strategic sourcing and storage
  • Regularly interacted with diners, gathering insights and feedback, which became instrumental in creating crowd-favorite dishes and specials
  • Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
  • Maintained food safety and sanitation standards.
  • Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
  • Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
  • Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
  • Followed strict standards for food handling and safety, minimizing risks to customers.
  • Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
  • Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
  • Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
  • Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
  • Measured, weighed, and mixed appropriate ingredients according to recipe directions.
  • Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
  • Enhanced teamwork within the kitchen staff by fostering a collaborative environment focused on meeting high standards of quality and efficiency.
  • Developed and maintained clean and organized kitchen workspace, setting standard for team.
  • Fostered culture of teamwork and communication within kitchen, leading to improved efficiency.

Volunteer

Eastview Neighbourhood
09.2020 - Current
  • Assisted with special events and programs.
  • Maintained clean, neat, and operational facilities to serve program needs.
  • Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running events by helping with organization and planning.
  • Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others.
  • Prepared lunch for volunteers, assists with food distribution for clients who uses food bank .

Guest Service Agent

Delta Chelsea Hotel
  • Elevated dining experiences by recommending hotel's signature dishes, ensuring guests received a holistic taste of our culinary offerings
  • Collaborated closely with the kitchen and dining teams to accommodate special requests and dietary restrictions, ensuring guests' satisfaction and repeat business
  • Seamlessly managed front-desk duties while staying attuned to the rhythm of the kitchen, ensuring timely room service and guest inquiries about menu offerings
  • Assisted a diverse clientele, understanding and appreciating varied culinary preferences, and recommending dishes that catered to international palates
  • Instituted a feedback mechanism for guests to review their dining experiences, directly contributing to continuous menu improvement and innovation
  • Fostered strong relationships between the front-of-house and kitchen staff, facilitating seamless service and quick resolution of any dining-related concerns
  • Maintained high level of professionalism and discretion when dealing with guests.
  • Greeted guests upon arrival by providing warm welcome.
  • Resolved billing disputes promptly, maintaining professionalism and customer satisfaction throughout the process.
  • Communicated problems regarding guest rooms to housekeeping services and maintenance personnel.
  • Collected room deposits, fees, and payments.
  • Enhanced guest satisfaction by addressing concerns and providing prompt resolutions.
  • Provided personalized recommendations for attractions and dining options in the area, enhancing guest experiences.
  • Supported front desk team members during peak times, ensuring efficient operations under high-pressure situations.
  • Handled customer complaints to satisfy and retain guests.
  • Provided accurate information regarding local attractions, restaurants and activities.
  • Developed strong relationships with repeat customers, fostering loyalty and return visits.
  • Handled cash transactions accurately, balancing daily reports at the end of each shift.

Education

Culinary Arts Program -

George Brown College

Social Work Diploma - undefined

Humber College

Accounting - undefined

Humber College

Skills

  • Culinary Expertise
  • Menu Development
  • Presentation Skills
  • Kitchen Management
  • Flavor Pairing
  • Ingredient Sourcing
  • Time Management
  • Health Regulations
  • Recipe Innovation
  • Dietary Accommodations
  • Food Safety
  • Budgeting Proficiency

  • Event Catering
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Sanitation Standards
  • Special Diets
  • Sustainable Practices
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Nutritional Knowledge
  • Multicultural Cuisines
  • Inventory Control
  • Cleaning and organization

    Food handling

    Strong attention to safe food handling procedures

    Frying

    Contamination prevention

    Sanitation practices

    Food presentation

    Surface cleaning

    Sanitation

Certification

  • Food Handler Permit -
  • Housekeeping Management Certificate - American Hotel & Motel Association
  • Resorts & Hotel Skills Certificate -HEART TRUST/NTA
  • Smart Serve
  • First Aid Certification
  • Sanitization

Timeline

Volunteer

Eastview Neighbourhood
09.2020 - Current

Social Work Diploma - undefined

Humber College

Accounting - undefined

Humber College

Guest Service Agent/Switchboard Operator/Designated Trainer

Delta Chelsea Hotel

Culinary Arts Program -

George Brown College

Youth Worker

East View Community Center

Cook/Chef

The Real Jerk

Guest Service Agent

Delta Chelsea Hotel
Garvell Dwyer