Mary Ellen McKnight
West Vancouver,BC
Summary
Accomplished Pastry Chef and Caterer with expertise in Baking and managing and development of new menu items. Hardworking, dedicated and knowledgeable professional with exacting standards for food quality and presentation.
Overview
44
44
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Pastry Chef/Film Caterer
Kitchen Wisdom
05.2014 - Current
- Pastry Chef
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to guarantee timely delivery of all pastries, cakes and desserts.
- Personalized creations for holidays, weddings, graduations, and personal events.
- Oversaw purchasing, storage, and use of kitchen supplies
- In charge of preparing salads, soups, appetizers for crew of 90 to 200 people
- In charge of breakfast baking, breads and desserts for crew of 90 to 200 people
- Oversaw set up, staff and menu planning for daily buffet
- Worked flexible hours, over weekends, night shifts and holidays
- Contributed to successful catering events by designing custom dessert menus tailored to specific client preferences.
WhiteWater Cooks Cookbook
Shelley Adams
05.2005 - 06.2024
- Recipe testing and recipe development for national best selling cookbooks
- Food styling for photo shoots for cookbooks
- Contributed recipes for cookbooks
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in team environment.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility.
Pastry Chef
White Wilderness Heli Skiing
09.2012 - 04.2013
- Established kitchen layout for lodge
- Oversaw purchasing, storage, and use of kitchen supplies, small wares and appliances
- Menu planning
- Ordering
- Overseeing Kitchen Staff
- Baking and cooking for 24 people
- Coordinated with kitchen staff to guarantee timely delivery of all pastries, cakes, dessert and Hors d'oeuvres
Catering and Wedding Event Planner
Self Employed
04.2002 - 12.2011
- Performed event coordination for larger parties and gatherings.
- Corresponded with clients to answer questions and resolve issues.
- Coordinated schedules and timelines for events.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers, securing cost-effective solutions without compromising quality or service levels.
- Performed face-to-face meetings to finalize contract for services and event details.
- Managing 2 large events per weekend
Pastry Chef
Baldface Cat Skiing
10.2005 - 04.2008
- Established new kitchen facility for lodge that held 68 people
- In Charge of purchasing all equipment needed for start up
- Menu planning, ordering cost control and inventory
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent
- Monitored quality of ingredients used in recipes to maintain consistency and safety standards
- Prepared dough for variety of pastries, cakes, desserts and breads
Owner Operator Focus on Food Film Catering
Self
10.1984 - 12.2002
- Owner and operator of successful fast paced film catering business
- In charge of staff of 15 people
- Ran all aspects of business
- Organized and detail-oriented with strong work ethic
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems
- Managed financial aspects of the business, including budgeting, financial reporting, and tax preparation.
Pastry Chef
Canadian Mountain Holidays
05.1981 - 05.1999
- Performed daily baking of breads, breakfast goods, desserts, for approximately 60 to 70 people per day
- Performed daily preparation of field lunches and appetizers for guests
- Menu planning and ordering
- Inventory and cost control
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Oversaw purchasing, storage, and use of kitchen supplies.
- Produced allergy-friendly gluten-, dairy- and egg-free variations of classic recipes.
- Followed food safety standards when handling ingredients.
- Baked consistent quality items by accurately mixing, dividing, shaping, and proofing.
- Prepared dough for variety of pastries, cakes and breads.
- Cleaned and maintained kitchen equipment and oven.
- Replenished and rotated food items, following correct food cooling and storage procedures.
Education
High School Diploma -
Central High School Burnaby BC
Burnaby, BC06.1974
Skills
- Catering management
- Catering Supervision
- Event Catering
- Menu planning
- Pastry Chef
- Plating
- Manage Inventory
- Recipe Creation
- Proper Food Handling
Certification
- FOODSAFE Level 1 2023
- Serving It Right 2024
- WHMIS 2024
Timeline
Pastry Chef/Film Caterer
Kitchen Wisdom
05.2014 - Current
Pastry Chef
White Wilderness Heli Skiing
09.2012 - 04.2013
Pastry Chef
Baldface Cat Skiing
10.2005 - 04.2008
WhiteWater Cooks Cookbook
Shelley Adams
05.2005 - 06.2024
Catering and Wedding Event Planner
Self Employed
04.2002 - 12.2011
Owner Operator Focus on Food Film Catering
Self
10.1984 - 12.2002
Pastry Chef
Canadian Mountain Holidays
05.1981 - 05.1999
High School Diploma -
Central High School Burnaby BC
Similar Profiles
Elma QuaysonElma Quayson
Office administrative assistant/Estimation at Wisdom Interior Decor LLCOffice administrative assistant/Estimation at Wisdom Interior Decor LLC
Nutt SakdaNutt Sakda
Waitress at Thai Wisdom BistroWaitress at Thai Wisdom Bistro
Haley HockerHaley Hocker
Paralegal at Martin, Disiere, Jefferson and WisdomParalegal at Martin, Disiere, Jefferson and Wisdom
ANA RODRIGUEZANA RODRIGUEZ
Art Director at The Casa ContentArt Director at The Casa Content
YASAMAN DEHPOURYASAMAN DEHPOUR
Administrative Officer at Dumont & Co.Administrative Officer at Dumont & Co.