Andrea Vargas
Passionate about encouraging, strengthening, and connecting with others to increase their quality of life. Skilled at creating exciting, healthy, vibrant, and sustainable menus, systems, and practices in kitchens. Proficient with basic dietary needs and allergy alternatives, as well as cultural, religious, and health-related restrictions. Adept at training both children and adults in the basic foundations of health. Obsessed with ensuring cleanliness in work environments, building hygienic and sanitary practices for all. Up to date with food trends, techniques, and plate presentation. Sensitive to timing and flexibility when preparing family meals. Knowledgeable on proper storing and organization of food and equipment. Open and receptive to new ideas and collaborations. Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area ***.******@*****.*** 619-***-**** linkedin.com/in/eatwellwithdrea PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Ecolab Food Safety & Specialities
Food Safety and Brand Standard Specialist May 2023 - February 2024
● Conducted food safety, brand standards, and workplace health and safety evaluations at client locations.
● Consulted, coached, and trained clients on the latest food safety, health, and hygiene practices.
● Worked with account management teams to resolve client challenges.
● Performed a budgeted number of audits weekly that ensured high customer satisfaction.
● Accessed and leveraged industry-leading food safety practices.
● Actively monitored health inspection regulations.
● Provided accurate reporting to ensure effective customer communication and relationships. Eat Well With Drea
Private Nutrition Chef March 2012 - April 2023
● Provided health tips for new clients.
● Prepared weekly meals to ensure healthy eating habits.
● Made “healthy’ sound fun and delicious with health talk events.
● Connected the community with local farms to eat healthy, organic, and local.
● Created new recipes for special nutrition diets. DM&A
Culinary Consultant May 2022 - May 2023
● Leadership
● Develop menus
● Help with performance improvement process used by professional colleagues, hiring staff, coach to reach the highest levels of excellence within a short period of time.
● Help kitchen pass health inspections by training staff strategies and efficient techniques with top results.
HHS, LLC
Retail Manager February 2021 - June 2022
● Developed programs based on joint commission regulations and customized to the facility's needs.
● Worked in conjunction with the Executive Chef on menu development, recipe execution, and production of highest quality food for patients and retail customers.
● Developed and implemented purchasing standards.
● Developed and implemented HACCP standards to be compliant with federal, state, and local agency regulatory.
● Monitored and submitted all required information of sales and cost for the department.
● Trained, monitored, and helped hire staff.
● Conducted ongoing training for retail staff and provided educational opportunities for professional development.
● Conducted staff evaluations according to procedures and within a timeframe.
● Maintained and enforced disciplinary policy and followed through on procedures.
● Completed work schedule to ensure adequate coverage for all FNS functions.
● Developed and monitored evaluation processes for customer satisfaction.
● Ensured processes were followed.
● Initiated performance improvements within troubled areas.
● Developed training tools for retail staff.
● Guided retail team in customer and patient satisfaction.
● Continually nurtured client relationships through excellent communication, integrity, and performance. The Naked Bite
Wellness and Event Chef, Instructor February 2019 - February 2021
● Teach about healing foods and commitment to caring for clients needs
● Highly proficient in a broad range of cuisines and techniques with a focus on wellness
● Self-motivated, self-reliant and dependable creating my own schedule
● Strong communication skills, written and verbal.
● Friendly, personable and able to blend into different home environments and gauge clients on a individual basis.
Seven Sundays
Brand Ambassador December 2019 - December 2020
● Responsible for delivering education supporting a brand or portfolio across three counties near Austin region while developing trade relationships and driving brand opportunity with customers across the on, off, and non-premise channels.
● Drove to many events in 78 Mercedes wagon
● n charge of pop-up events, will serve as a brand mentor to trade, consumers, customers, clients, and members of the agency team
● Multitasking.
Camp Ballibay for the Fine and Performing Arts
Executive Chef Summers June 2016 - August 2020
● Established and maintained good relationships with local food and service vendors, including small farmers.
● Ordered and budgeted for a 21-meal-per-week food service and entire front-of-house dining hall.
● Ran scratch-cooking up to 200 staff and campers.
● Managed a diverse team of up to 25 staff.
● Used local available goods flexibly and creatively, creating healthy, seasonal, kid-friendly recipes and menus.
PRIOR: Food and Nutrition Services Training Manager at Austin Independent School District, 2018-2019; Client Services at The Honest Company, 2016-2018; Sales Representative at Farm Fresh to You, 2011-2015; Nutrition Assistant at Wild Rice Exchange, 2010-2011; Assistant Manager and Pastry and Saute Chef at The PlumpJack Group, 2003-2007; Prep Cook at W Hotels, 2006-2007
EDUCATION & LICENSES
California Culinary Academy Graduated 2005
Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.S.), Culinary Science and Hospitality Management Cuesta College Graduated 2003
Associate's degree, Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies, General Serv Safe Food Handlers’ card for the USA
SKILLS
Multitasking • Program Development • Operations • Client Relations • Microsoft Suite • Retail
• Customer Experience • Employee Training • Quality Control • Customer Service Management
• Healthcare • Banquet Management • Mass Production • Salesforce • POS Systems • Dietary • Management •