SAAGAR KATHE
Toronto,Canada
Summary
Seasoned hospitality and operations professional with over 15 years of experience in food and beverage, catering, event operations, and supply chain management. Led high-volume kitchen and front-of-house teams, optimized workflows, and ensured compliance with food safety and HACCP standards. Expertise in vendor management, inventory control, and cost optimization, complemented by training in SAP Supply Chain Management.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Café Manager
Diwan Cafe at Aga Khan Museum, FoodDudes
01.2022 - Current
- Oversaw daily café operations, ensuring a welcoming customer-centric environment aligned with high hospitality standards.
- Enhanced customer engagement through personalized service initiatives and feedback collection, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.
- Recruited and scheduled high-performing team of baristas and servers, contributing to improved service standards.
- Supervised staff training programs, fostering a positive team environment and enhancing skill sets.
- Partnered with culinary teams to develop seasonal menus tailored to guest preferences and dietary needs.
- Tracked daily sales, labor costs, and cost of goods sold, compiling financial reports to inform leadership decisions.
- Managed POS operations, cash handling, inventory ordering, and supplier relationships to minimize waste.
- Collaborated with museum leadership to synchronize daily operations with special exhibitions and high-volume events.
Manager
McMichael Art gallery's Cabin Cafe, FoodDudes
Vaughan
02.2022 - 12.2025
- Coordinated with event and facilities teams to ensure timely and efficient catering services.
- Directed all kitchen operations for restaurants and catering, including production planning, scheduling, and large-scale event execution.
- Managed food costing, inventory control, and vendor relationships to enhance profitability and minimize waste.
- Supervised and coached culinary and service teams, fostering accountability, teamwork, and consistency in quality.
- Implemented kitchen systems, SOPs, and HACCP food safety compliance to maintain operational efficiency during peak times.
- Planned and developed menus tailored to client needs, dietary restrictions, and budgets while maintaining creativity and presentation standards.
- Oversaw procurement, receiving, and stock management to guarantee traceability and freshness.
Catering Chef
FoodDudes
Toronto
10.2019 - 01.2022
- Designed and executed customized catering menus for weddings, corporate events, and private functions, adapting to client preferences, budgets, and dietary restrictions.
- Led end-to-end event kitchen operations, overseeing prep, production, plating, and on-site execution for large groups to ensure on-time delivery and client satisfaction.
- Coordinated with event managers and service teams to ensure seamless event execution under tight deadlines.
- Trained and supervised culinary staff during events, enhancing teamwork and performance to meet high service standards.
- Conducted quality control tastings and implemented adjustments to guarantee consistency and presentation excellence.
- Oversaw food safety, HACCP compliance, and sanitation standards, preventing foodborne risks and ensuring regulatory adherence.
- Achieved recognition for balancing culinary creativity with operational efficiency, leading to consistently exceed client expectations.
Administrative Canteen Manager
Bosch Ltd
Nashik, India
08.2016 - 09.2019
- Directed daily food production and canteen operations for a 4,000+ staff industrial facility, ensuring timely service, quality meals, and adherence to food safety standards.
- Managed procurement, vendor relationships, and material planning to ensure timely supply of raw materials and kitchen essentials.
- Planned and conducted menu tastings, developed seasonal menus, and coordinated meal planning to meet diverse dietary requirements and workforce needs.
- Implemented stock management protocols and tracked inventory to enhance ordering efficiency and minimize material variances.
- Monitored operational metrics and analyzed consumption trends to improve supplier performance and streamline workflow.
- Oversaw housekeeping and kitchen maintenance, ensuring clean, safe, and compliant workspaces.
- Coordinated logistics for special dinner events, ensuring all details were organized and executed smoothly.
- Applied advanced supply chain and logistics management skills, including scheduling, vendor coordination, and cost control, to streamline operations.
Cook
The Broadmoor Hotel
Colorado Springs, USA
04.2015 - 06.2016
- Managed assigned stations such as Grill, Sauté, and Pantry, assisting head chefs in food preparation to ensure consistent quality and timely service.
- Contributed to smooth kitchen operations under high-pressure, high-volume service periods, maintaining efficiency without compromising quality.
- Maintained professional and organized kitchen environment by ensuring compliance with AAA standards, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
- Established and enforced compliance with company standards, HACCP protocols, and legal regulations, maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
Education
Bachelor of Degree - Hospitality Tourism
MGV's College of Hotel Management and catering Tech
Nashik, India01-2011
Skills
- Menu Development
- Restaurant Management
- Café management
- Inventory management
- Strategic planning
- Scheduling
- Time optimization
- Decision-Making
- Adaptability & Problem Solving
- Leadership and Team Management
Timeline
Manager
McMichael Art gallery's Cabin Cafe, FoodDudes
02.2022 - 12.2025
Café Manager
Diwan Cafe at Aga Khan Museum, FoodDudes
01.2022 - Current
Catering Chef
FoodDudes
10.2019 - 01.2022
Administrative Canteen Manager
Bosch Ltd
08.2016 - 09.2019
Cook
The Broadmoor Hotel
04.2015 - 06.2016
Bachelor of Degree - Hospitality Tourism
MGV's College of Hotel Management and catering Tech