Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Gastro Antalya Internatinal Cooking Contest
Timeline
Generic

Umut Solmaz

Toronto

Summary

Experienced chef with a culinary career beginning in 2008, having worked alongside renowned chefs in Turkey across both hotel and restaurant settings. Successfully launched and managed my own restaurants in Moldova and Ankara, demonstrating strong leadership and entrepreneurial skills. After relocating to Canada, collaborated with esteemed chef Julien Laffargue and gained valuable experience working in two distinguished Turkish restaurants. Proven ability to adapt to diverse culinary environments and deliver high-quality cuisine with a focus on excellence.

Overview

2025
2025
years of professional experience

Work History

Prep Cook

Ricarda's
02.2024 - 05.2024
  • Washed, peeled, and cut fruits and vegetables in advance to save time on food preparation.
  • Trained and assisted new kitchen staff members.
  • Maintained clean, hygienic kitchen workspace by sweeping, mopping, and taking out trash.
  • Operated dishwasher and manually washed dishes to clean all chinaware, silverware, and cooking utensils.

Line Cook

Kebap 49
2023 - 2024
  • Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
  • Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
  • Developed strategies to enhance catering and retail food service revenue and productivity goals.
  • Monitored food quality and presentation to maintain high standards.

Line Cook

Barans Turkish Cuisine
2022 - 2023
  • Operated varied kitchen equipment, observing operation guidelines to avoid accidents and prevent malfunctions.
  • Plated and presented all dishes to match established restaurant standards.
  • Trained new kitchen staff on food safety, preparation and cooking techniques.
  • Developed innovative, creative menu items and recipes.

Chef

Agapi Fish House
2019 - 2022
  • Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
  • Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
  • Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
  • Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.

Line Cook

Argo Travel
2018 - 2019
  • Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
  • Checked food temperature regularly to verify proper cooking and safety.
  • Prepared and cooked full course meals based on restaurant recipes and specifications.
  • Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.

Line Cook

Eski Korfez
2015 - 2018
  • Wrapped up and stored unused food in appropriate containers and placed in refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
  • Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment and sanitation.
  • Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.

Line Cook

Bekish Gida
2009 - 2015
  • Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
  • Grilled meats and seafood to customer specifications.
  • Followed restaurant stock management schedule to monitor product freshness and rotate out old products.
  • Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.

Education

High School Diploma -

Milli Egitim Bakanligi (M.E.B)
Turkey
01-2011

Skills

  • Vegetable washing
  • Sauce preparation
  • Grilling techniques
  • Ambitious
  • Kitchen organization
  • Attention to detail
  • Baking techniques
  • Kitchen equipment operation
  • Operations support

Languages

Turkish
Native or Bilingual

Gastro Antalya Internatinal Cooking Contest

I was awarded first place in the fish and appetizer categories at the Gastro Antalya International Cooking Contest from 2013 to 2016. Additionally, I secured the first-place trophy at the Mediterranean University Cyprus Culinary Competition in 2019.

Timeline

Prep Cook

Ricarda's
02.2024 - 05.2024

Line Cook

Kebap 49
2023 - 2024

Line Cook

Barans Turkish Cuisine
2022 - 2023

Chef

Agapi Fish House
2019 - 2022

Line Cook

Argo Travel
2018 - 2019

Line Cook

Eski Korfez
2015 - 2018

Line Cook

Bekish Gida
2009 - 2015

High School Diploma -

Milli Egitim Bakanligi (M.E.B)

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Umut Solmaz