Zeynep Sara Yılmaz
Toronto
Summary
Culinary professional prepared for high-pressure kitchen environments with focus on delivering high-quality dishes. Adept at collaborating with team members to streamline kitchen operations and ensure timely service. Known for flexibility and reliability, with strong commitment to maintaining cleanliness and organization.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Barista
Tim Hortnes
Sales Assistant
Eaten Shopping Center
Line Cook
Mama Fatma Turkish Cuisine
12.2024 - 04.2025
- Prepared and cooked full course meals based on restaurant recipes and specifications.
- Prepared food items such as meats, poultry, and fish for frying purposes.
- Plated and presented all dishes to match established restaurant standards.
- Changed and sanitized cutting boards, benches, and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
- Expedited service during peak hours by coordinating with fellow line cooks on timing of dish completion.
- Created identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail, and quality.
- Improved kitchen efficiency by streamlining prep tasks and effectively organizing workstations.
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity.
- Supported head chef during high-volume periods by efficiently executing complex tasks with precision under pressure.
Cashier
Istanbul Kebab House
12.2023 - 01.2025
- Helped customers complete purchases, locate items, and join reward programs.
- Restocked and organized merchandise in front lanes.
- Assisted customers with returns, refunds and resolving transaction issues.
- Assisted customers with inquiries and provided exceptional service, resulting in positive feedback from shoppers.
- Resolved customer complaints professionally, leading to improved customer relations and loyalty.
- Adapted quickly to new technologies implemented at POS systems, ensuring seamless transition periods for both staff and customers.
- Provided backup support for other departments when needed, showcasing versatility within the retail environment.
Chef Manager
Aura Bar
03.2024 - 07.2024
- Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
- Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
- Optimized food preparation processes, implementing time-saving techniques without compromising quality.
- Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
- Kept kitchen staff in compliance with safety and food regulations to reduce opportunities for illness or accidents.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Mentored junior chefs and provided guidance in culinary techniques, fostering a supportive team environment.
Line Cook
Riverside Burger
07.2023 - 12.2023
- Prepared multiple orders simultaneously during peak periods with high accuracy rate, maximizing customer satisfaction, and repeat business.
- Collaborated with team members to maintain a clean and safe working environment, adhering to health and safety guidelines.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
- Adapted quickly to new recipes and techniques, demonstrating versatility and eagerness to learn from colleagues.
Cold Chef
Etiler Ajjna Restaurant
09.2021 - 12.2021
- We apply the appetisers that actually exist in Turkish Cuisine with new recipes.
- It is a place where we adapt to world cuisine.
- The thing that actually adds to me here is that the production follow-up is to ensure the supply of the product, to protect the product and to serve it in the freshest form.
Chef de Cuisine
Paper Coffee & Chocolate
10.2020 - 09.2021
- Company Overview: Paper Coffee & Chocolate is a well-known place with 5 branches in Ankara and in its first branch in Istanbul.
- My first kitchen chef experience was very useful and instructive for me.
- Here I organised everything from the smallest detail in the kitchen to the kitchen team.
- I prepared 4 different menus for Paper Cafe.
- Apart from the products I prepared in the menu being delicious, our menu made difference with its modern and innovative nature.
- In addition to my duties of preparing and developing menus and establishing a team, I also organised the discipline of the kitchen layout, supplying supplies and managing the kitchen's income and it was my responsibility to control the expenses.
- As a kitchen chef, the point I am most sensitive to is to work happily and in coordination with my teammates.
- Paper Coffee & Chocolate is a well-known place with 5 branches in Ankara and in its first branch in Istanbul.
Consultancy
Hello Bakery
02.2021 - 04.2021
- Hello Bakery provided an external support and I established a menu work and a team suitable for their concept.
Intern
Rita Moda
05.2020 - 09.2020
- I improved myself a lot during my compulsory internship at Rita Moda because I worked separately in every part of the operation. Production I think that cold set up, grill section, office section and new menu trials have been of great benefit in my cookery career during these 4.5 months.
Chef Assistant
Academy of Culinary Arts
01.2020 - 04.2020
- After the training I received at MSA, I volunteered as an intern there and worked in the back of the operation, assisting the chefs and learning different information and techniques from them.
Cashier
Blooryoung car wash
02.2017 - 03.2017
- Greeted customers entering store and responded promptly to customer needs.
- Welcomed customers and helped determine their needs.
- Operated cash register for cash, check, and credit card transactions with excellent accuracy levels.
- Built relationships with customers to encourage repeat business.
- Maintained a balanced cash drawer, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
Education
Chef School -
Academy of Culinary Arts
03.2019
LANGUAGE EDUCATION -
ILAC International Language Academy of canada
04.2018
Chef School -
Academy of Culinary Arts
04.2018
PRIMARY SCHOOL -
Bostancı Doğa Collage
06.2013
HIGH SCHOOL -
Özel Kadıköy Final High School
06.2017
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Cleaning and organization
- Time management
- Food preparation
- Food safety knowledge
- Food presentation
Languages
English
Turkish
Native or Bilingual
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 09/19/00
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: TC
- Driving License: B
- Place of Birth: Istanbul/Bagcılar
Timeline
Line Cook
Mama Fatma Turkish Cuisine
12.2024 - 04.2025
Chef Manager
Aura Bar
03.2024 - 07.2024
Cashier
Istanbul Kebab House
12.2023 - 01.2025
Line Cook
Riverside Burger
07.2023 - 12.2023
Cold Chef
Etiler Ajjna Restaurant
09.2021 - 12.2021
Consultancy
Hello Bakery
02.2021 - 04.2021
Chef de Cuisine
Paper Coffee & Chocolate
10.2020 - 09.2021
Intern
Rita Moda
05.2020 - 09.2020
Chef Assistant
Academy of Culinary Arts
01.2020 - 04.2020
Cashier
Blooryoung car wash
02.2017 - 03.2017
LANGUAGE EDUCATION -
ILAC International Language Academy of canada
Chef School -
Academy of Culinary Arts
HIGH SCHOOL -
Özel Kadıköy Final High School
Barista
Tim Hortnes
Sales Assistant
Eaten Shopping Center
Chef School -
Academy of Culinary Arts
PRIMARY SCHOOL -
Bostancı Doğa Collage
Similar Profiles
Mehnaz RahmanMehnaz Rahman
Human Resources Manager at TH Restaurant Services Inc. (Tim Hortons)Human Resources Manager at TH Restaurant Services Inc. (Tim Hortons)
David ZakiDavid Zaki
Crew Member at Tim Hortons, Ravindeer KaurCrew Member at Tim Hortons, Ravindeer Kaur
Rajveer JohalRajveer Johal
Worker at Tim HortonsWorker at Tim Hortons
Charmy PatelCharmy Patel
Pharmacist at Apollo PharmacyPharmacist at Apollo Pharmacy
JASON KOKKOVASJASON KOKKOVAS
Store Manager at Sunrise RecordsStore Manager at Sunrise Records