Yessika Alvarez
Vancouver,BC
Summary
Accomplished Sous Chef with a proven track record at Wink Eventos, where I enhanced kitchen productivity by 30% through effective team leadership and innovative menu planning. Expert in food safety and culinary trends, I consistently deliver high-quality, visually striking dishes. Skilled in kitchen staff management and mentoring, I drive results by fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Sous Chef
Wink Eventos
Medellin Colombia
07.2022 - 07.2023
- Managed food preparation tasks during high-volume service periods, ensuring all orders were executed in a timely manner without sacrificing quality or presentation standards.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
- Managed inventory levels effectively, resulting in reduced food waste and cost savings for the establishment.
- Collaborated with executive chef to develop innovative menu items, leading to increased guest return rates and positive reviews.
- Increased kitchen productivity by optimizing workflow processes and delegating tasks appropriately within the team.
- Contributed to successful catering events by coordinating meal preparation and execution, exceeding client expectations on each occasion.
- Reduced staff turnover rates through effective communication skills, creating a supportive work atmosphere for all team members.
- Negotiated with equipment vendors to upgrade kitchen technology, improving overall productivity and food quality.
- Participated in food tastings and taste tests.
- Coordinated with team members to prepare orders on time.
- Utilized culinary techniques to create visually appealing dishes.
- Evaluated food products to verify freshness and quality.
- Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
Cook
Roccoto Restaurant
Medellin Provenza
11.2021 - 01.2022
- Maintained clean and organized work areas at all times to bring safety and quality to food preparation process.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.
- Prepared meals efficiently under time constraints for timely service during peak hours.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills, managing multiple orders simultaneously without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Followed strict standards for food handling and safety, minimizing risks to customers.
- Fostered culture of teamwork and communication within kitchen, leading to improved efficiency.
- Contributed to positive guest experiences by accommodating special dietary needs and requests.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Mentored junior cooks in refining culinary skills through hands-on guidance.
- Improved menu offerings, incorporating seasonal ingredients and innovative cooking methods.
- Managed opening and closing shift kitchen tasks.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Planned menus for different events, seasons and customer requests.
- Improved meal presentation with innovative plating techniques, enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
- Adhered to recipe guidelines while demonstrating creativity in plating and garnishing dishes for enhanced visual appeal.
- Tasted, smelled, and pierced food with fork to verify sufficient cooking.
Chef Assistant
Inntu Hotel
Medellin, Colombia
02.2019 - 10.2021
- Prepared and cooked quality meals in high-volume, fast-paced service environments.
- Followed recipes and instructions to achieve quality and presentation standards.
- Maintained a clean and organized workspace, adhering to strict sanitation guidelines for a safe kitchen environment.
- Assisted head chef in menu planning for optimal ingredient utilization and minimized food waste.
- Managed food preparation activities, such as cutting ingredients to size and preparing sauces and garnishes.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure timely delivery of orders, improving overall dining experience for guests.
- Used variety of kitchen tools and appliances to prepare ingredients and meals.
- Maintained cleanliness and order of kitchen prep areas and appliances as well as convenient organization of ingredients.
- Supported senior chefs with creative meal planning and recipe development.
- Verified food temperatures and quality ahead of service to maintain standards.
- Provided support during special events and catering functions, ensuring consistent quality across all offerings.
- Trained new kitchen staff on proper food handling and preparation techniques.
- Developed new recipes by incorporating seasonal ingredients, resulting in increased positive feedback from customers.
- Increased kitchen safety by rigorously adhering to health and sanitation standards.
- Assisted in training new kitchen staff, promoting culture of learning and teamwork.
- Enhanced dish flavor profiles by experimenting with new seasoning combinations.
- Cleaned and maintained work areas, equipment and utensils.
- Stocked and rotated food items according to expiration dates.
- Followed food safety practices and sanitation guidelines.
- Washed, peeled and cut various foods such as fruits and vegetables to prepare for cooking or serving.
Kitchen Assistant
CESDE
Medellin, Colombia
12.2017 - 04.2019
- Assisted chefs in food preparation tasks, resulting in timely meal service.
- Cleaned and organized kitchen stations to promote team efficiency.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure smooth workflow during peak hours.
- Cleaned and sanitized dishes and utensils, consistently keeping adequate supplies on hand for expected customer loads.
- Washed, peeled, and cut fruits and vegetables in advance to save time on food preparation.
- Utilized knife skills to expertly chop, slice, and dice ingredients as needed for recipes.
- Helped chefs prepare and present food to event guests with strong attention to detail and presentation expertise.
- Maintained clean, trash-free workspaces to maximize productivity and safety.
- Provided backup support to other staff members during busy periods or staff shortages.
- Accepted opportunities to learn new skills, improve performance and cross-train for other positions.
- Tasked with removal of garbage and refuse, mopping and sweeping floors and washing walls.
- Chopped vegetables, cut up fruit, and prepared sauces when kitchen staff was busy.
- Cleaned and maintained work areas, equipment and utensils.
- Washed, peeled and cut various foods such as fruits and vegetables to prepare for cooking or serving.
- Stocked and rotated food items according to expiration dates.
- Monitored food temperature, discarding items not stored correctly.
Education
Technologies Degree - Gastronomic Service Management
Colegio Mayor De Antioquia
Medellin Colombia 01.2021
Technology Culinary Arts -
CESDE
Medellin,Colombia 02.2019
High School -
Institución Educativa Consejo Mayor De Antioquia
Medellin,Colombia 11.2017
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Kitchen leadership
- Food Safety
- Inventory Management
- Safe Food Handling
- Food presentation
- Menu Planning
- Food Preparation
- Kitchen Organization
- Cooking techniques
- Supervising Food Prep
- Safety Management
- Knife Skills
- Ingredient Knowledge
- Safe handling
- Staff Training
- Menu Memorization
- Butchery skills
- Cost Control
- Staff Motivation
- Sanitation Procedures
- Recipes and menu planning
- Garnishing Techniques
- Pasta Making
- Food spoilage prevention
- Culinary Trends
- Catering background
- Seafood Preparation
- Sauce preparation
- Kitchen Staff Management
- Kitchen Management
- Cleaning and sanitation
- Meal Preparation
- Catering and Events
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Professional Working
Certification
- culinary art
- food service management
culinary art
I studied culinary arts for two years in Medellín. And 3 years service management
Timeline
Sous Chef
Wink Eventos
07.2022 - 07.2023
Cook
Roccoto Restaurant
11.2021 - 01.2022
Chef Assistant
Inntu Hotel
02.2019 - 10.2021
Kitchen Assistant
CESDE
12.2017 - 04.2019
Technologies Degree - Gastronomic Service Management
Colegio Mayor De Antioquia
Technology Culinary Arts -
CESDE
High School -
Institución Educativa Consejo Mayor De Antioquia