Elliot DANHA
Pizza Chef
Capetown,WC
Summary
Dynamic chef and former restaurant waiter with a proven track record at Pirates steakhouse, specializing in enhancing kitchen operations and elevating dining experiences. Expert in vendor relations and specialty cuisine, I excel in food preparation safety and effective communications, significantly improving service quality by 30%. Renowned for leadership in team development and innovative menu planning.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Pizza Chef
Julie Huckle
06.2015 - 01.2025
- Managed high-pressure situations during peak hours, maintaining focus on efficient service and consistent product quality.
- Assisted in inventory management, accurately tracking ingredient usage and placing timely orders for replenishment.
- Operated pizza oven and other kitchen equipment safely to protect team members from harm and equipment from damage.
- Wiped down counters and food prep stations using bleach and clean cloths.
- Collaborated with team members to improve workflow efficiency and overall kitchen performance.
- Trained new staff members in proper pizza preparation techniques, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Maximized flavor profiles by skillfully combining complementary ingredients within unique pizza creations.
- Implemented daily prep tasks which contributed to smooth shift transitions between morning, afternoon, and evening crews.
- Adhered to restaurant policies regarding portion control and ingredient usage, reducing unnecessary costs and waste.
- Increased efficiency within the kitchen by troubleshooting equipment issues promptly to minimize downtime.
- Fostered positive working environment through effective communication and time management.
- Maintained a clean workspace, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations for food handling.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by crafting high-quality pizzas and maintaining consistency in taste and presentation.
- Promoted a team-oriented atmosphere by actively participating in group meetings to discuss improvements and challenges within the workplace.
- Contributed to increased sales with innovative menu offerings that attracted repeat business from satisfied customers.
- Supported restaurant managers in achieving budgetary goals through cost-effective ingredient sourcing and responsible resource allocation planning.
- Worked closely with front-of-house staff to ensure seamless communication between the kitchen and dining area for accurate order fulfillment and timely service delivery.
- Prepared dough from scratch using old world recipe and added toppings, cheese, and sauce for unique pies.
- Streamlined the pizza assembly process, increasing productivity without sacrificing quality or presentation.
- Demonstrated excellent time-management skills by coordinating multiple tasks simultaneously while meeting strict deadlines.
- Developed creative pizza recipes, incorporating seasonal ingredients and customer feedback for menu variety.
- Ensured optimal oven temperatures for consistent cooking results, adjusting as needed based on varying factors such as ingredient density or crust type.
- Provided exceptional customer service, addressing concerns promptly and ensuring positive experiences for patrons.
- Created specialty pizzas to diversify menu and promote restaurant.
- Reduced food waste by efficiently managing pizza ingredients and rotating stock regularly.
- Topped pizzas with right ingredients based on orders utilizing recipe-directed amounts and distribution methods.
- Monitored pizzas throughout cooking process to deliver correct doneness and prevent burning or undercooking.
- Maintained pizza-making and kitchen equipment to keep items in good working condition and kitchen operating smoothly.
- Followed food safety and sanitation guidelines to prevent foodborne illnesses and promote customer health and safety.
- Rolled and shaped dough to correct sizes and shapes based on orders to fit in oven and cook evenly.
- Coached new workers on store policies, pizza making, and dough preparation.
- Monitored and maintained clean working areas and cooking surfaces.
- Tracked inventory of ingredients and supplies to keep kitchen well stocked and meet product and service demands.
- Prepared raw materials for cooking by cutting vegetables and preparing dough.
- Handled customer complaints professionally to prevent negative reviews or loss of business.
- Handled cash register operations by applying coupons, giving customer totals, and processing cash and credit card payments.
- Learned and memorized menu items and specials to provide accurate and up-to-date information to kitchen staff.
- Used pizza cutter to slice pizzas according to size and customer specifications.
- Cleaned and sanitized work areas, utensils and equipment.
- Restocked inventory and ingredient items to maintain optimal kitchen efficiency.
- Followed company recipes and production standards to satisfy customers.
- Contributed to consistent customer satisfaction rating by producing high-quality food and providing timely service.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Communicated with management on food inventory stock to request order placement.
- Operated grills, fryers and ovens to cook food items.
- Maintained spotless and tidy dining area by throwing away food wrappers on tables, emptying trash receptacles, and cleaning floors during slow periods.
- Trained and assisted new kitchen staff members.
- Wrapped up and stored unused food in appropriate containers and placed in refrigerator to avoid spoilage.
- Scrubbed grill on customer request due to food allergies to clean food residue and avoid issues with allergens.
- Monitored food temperatures to meet quality and safety standards.
- Reduced customer waiting by batch cooking popular items during rush times.
- Received and stored food supplies, raw materials and other ingredients.
- Packaged, arranged and labeled ingredient stock, storing at established temperatures.
- Learned new menu offerings and options easily to assist customers with selecting items.
- Provided excellent customer service by taking orders, answering questions and responding to customer complaints.
- Used kitchen equipment safely and reduced risk of injuries and burns.
- Suggested actionable improvements to streamline training procedures.
Education
No Degre - Fire Fighting And First Aid Level 1
Madamombe High School Mashava.Masvingo Zimbabwe
Masvingo Skills
Vendor relations
Baking and broiling skills
Sanitation guidelines
Steady food flows
Employee training and development
Workflow Optimization
Performance assessments
Equipment Maintenance
Specialty cuisine
Performance improvement
Effective communications
Food inventories
Made-to-order meals
Process improvements
Problem-solving
Food preparation and safety
Food plating and presentation
Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
Order delivery practices
Menu planning
Recipes and menu planning
Company quality standards
Signature dish creation
Utensils and equipment
Hospitality service expertise
Operations management
Budgeting
Food spoilage prevention
Fine-dining expertise
New hire training
Payroll and scheduling
Forecasting and planning
Timeline
Pizza Chef
Julie Huckle
06.2015 - 01.2025
No Degre - Fire Fighting And First Aid Level 1
Madamombe High School Mashava.Masvingo Zimbabwe