Customer Service Executive Chef

Michael A. Kilburg

Iowa City, IA 319-***-**** **************@*******.***

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Hospitality-minded, customer-focused hospitality professional with over 25 years of experience in public relations, customer service, catering, and management in the restaurant industry. Demonstrated exceptional organizational skills, prioritizing workload, and multi-tasking to stay conscious of deadlines and readily convey a sense of trust. Seeking a managerial position, education, and inspire other utilizing my strong work ethic. I was unemployed like most of America due to the pandemic, I got any job I could find outside of the hospitality food service industry that I hope would not be unemployed. Now that things are starting to return to some normalcy, I would like to get back to what I do best, managing.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Operations Management

Leadership & Collaboration

Staff Management & Training

Innovation & Organization

Strategic Business Planning

Quality Control Assurance

Client & Business Retention

Problem Solving Under Pressure

Brand Representation

Payroll & Bookkeeping

Budgeting & Forecasting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Ox Yoke Inn 4420 220th Trail, Amana Iowa

Executive Chef May 2023 – Present

Oversees kitchen / restaurant operations

Monitors the recruitment, hiring, training, development, food cost, Specials (daily) and orientation of all employees.

Oversees and ensures compliance with safety training and programs such as MSDS status, Serv Safe,

lock out tag out, safety committees, blood-borne pathogens, prevention, fire/tornado

procedures and general safety.

Popeyes E Ave Cedar Rapids, Iowa

General Manager May 2022 – May 2023

Oversees restaurant operations

Monitors the recruitment, hiring, training, development, and orientation of all employees.

Oversees and ensures compliance with safety training and programs such as MSDS status,

lock out tag out, safety committees, blood-borne pathogens, prevention, fire/tornado

procedures and general safety.

Mellow Mushroom Coralville, Iowa

General Manager Nov 2021 – May 2022

Oversees restaurant operations

Monitors the recruitment, hiring, training, development, and orientation of all employees.

Oversees and ensures compliance with safety training and programs such as MSDS status,

lock out tag out, safety committees, blood-borne pathogens, prevention, fire/tornado

procedures and general safety.

ALPLA Iowa City. Iowa

Forklift operator Oct 2020 – Nov 2021

Forklift operator working nights 6pm to 6:30 am. They offered me a management position after

on month. I turned it down because I knew that I would be looking for a new job in time in

hospitality or foodservice.

College Chefs, Executive chef for Gamma Phi Sorority Iowa City, IA

Executive Chef Dec2019-June 2020

Responsible for purchasing, weekly menu selection, labor cost as well as food cost control for the house.

I was unemployed when collage shut down, and most restarts closed for pandemic.

University of Iowa Housing & Dining – Hillcrest Marketplace Iowa City, IA

Sous Chef Assistant Manager Apr 2012 – Aug 2019

Responsible for overseeing food production, quality control, menu planning, and assisting the assistant manager.

Deliver culinary programs in conjunction with company marketing and culinary teams through innovative plans.

Educate staff members on best practices for approaching high-volume, complex foodservice operations.

Actively participate in client satisfaction programming, becoming an intrinsic leader in the dining community.

Menards Iowa City, IA

AM Receiving Apr 2012 – Nov 2012

Responsible for receiving, unloading, re-loading, and staging merchandise.

Maintain and operate forklifts to keep the area clean and organized for safe equipment operation.

Freelance Caterer Cedar Rapids, IA

Caterer & Event Manager Nov 2011 – Apr 2012

Responsible for catering private events by reference only, developing custom menus for quality customer service.

Shaped guest experience through empathetic, and independent approach to service from preparation to delivery.

Prepare and serve food, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction with timely service and delicious meals.

Interacted with guests to fulfill needs during events, maintaining strong venue, vendor, and client relationships.

National Guard (334th Forward Support Battalion) Iowa

Executive Officer May 2010 – Nov 2011

Responsible for managing the moving of the company of 85 sloggers training and deploying to home station.

Led company at two National Training Centers for deployment (pre-deployment training prior to Afghanistan).

Evaluated leadership skills and performance under pressure to assess capability for leading teams in high stress environment.

Maintenance Control Officer Jan 2006 – Jan 2007

Responsible for providing field maintenance to supported battalion as the principal assistant to the commander.

Assessed unit’s combat readiness, examining individuals for capabilities and limitations within organization.

Ensured the quality of all completed, developing a cross-training plan for personnel.

First Lieutenant, Second Platoon Leader Jan 1998 – Nov 2011

Responsible for planning, scheduling, training, and facilitating activities and tasks for the platoon.

Acted as the tactical center of the team, directing communication skill growth within training centers.

Dependable Scrap Cedar Rapids, IA

Forman Jul 2008 – Dec 2009

Responsible for acting as a management representative on the job site for executive team.

Recruited and trained new hires for flood recovery cleanup, salvage, and demo work for reducing costs.

Organized the turnover of scrap metals for four different locations, coordinating tasks to meet area needs.

Duke Aerial, Inc. Atlantic, IA

Shop Technician Operator April 2007 -Jul 2008

Responsible for purchasing materials for the maintenance and improvement of equipment and building.

Oversaw equipment shipping and receiving, operating all equipment, troubleshooting issues, and devising solutions.

Cleaned, charged, and operated all rented lift equipment, assessing equipment repair costs, billing accordingly.

Worked independently in the shop area, addressing all relevant managerial and project management demands.

City Wide Construction Cedar Rapids, IA

Laborer & Forman Sep 2003 – Sep 2008

Responsible for overseeing preparation for final cement paving, as a part of industrial projects.

Interacted with guests to fulfill preferences for projects, maintaining strong venue, vendor, and client relationships.

Organized project construction schedule, maintaining client relations with owners, subcontractors, and vendors.

Recognized for work ethic, became the site manager, establishing locations and operations from start to finish.

Cedar Brewing Company Cedar Rapids, IA

General Manager Aug 2005 – Jun 2006

Responsible for staffing, bookkeeping, and payroll, overseeing menu selection and cost control for the restaurant.

Represented brand to the local community, setting the tone for the brewery as an interactive community partner.

Developed, integrated, and led the team in drafting business plans and objectives consistent with company goals.

Monitored expenses and revenue streams for company to achieve budgetary performance in alignment with market.

Evaluated new consumer communication and branding opportunities, executing creative design to increase sales.

Collaborated with brew master on operations, tasting and evaluating products from raw ingrediency to final brew

Potter’s Mill Bellevue, IA

Sous Chef Dec 2003 – Aug 2004 & Oct 2004 – Jun 2005

Responsible for serving food using authentic production techniques, collaborating to create a strong culinary team.

Contributed ideas with menu creation, developing professional skills while maintaining restaurant health standards.

Thrived in a fast-paced environment, working with management team to effectively lead food preparation staff.

Managed cost controls and control expenditures for accounts, enabling financial planning for restaurant growth.

Riverview Hotel & Restaurant Bellevue, IA

General Manager & Head Chef Oct 2001 – Dec 2003

Responsible for bringing restaurant up to standards to best assist the owner in successfully selling the property.

Managed staffing, bookkeeping, payroll, menu selection and planning, catering events, and operations cost control.

Ensured establishment quality, service, and integrity, facilitating team performance and quality assurance efforts.

Provided development and training to retain staff over time, making sure financial and operating goals were met.

Adhered to food preparation standards, assuring consistently high quality and minimizing food costs.

Marriott Hotel (Formerly Collins Plaza) Cedar Rapids, IA

Assistant Banquet Chef & Saucier Dec 1989 – Oct 1993 & Dec 1995 – Oct 2001

Responsible for preparing soups, sauces, and buffets for banquets, while purchasing supplies and controlling food costs.

Executed high-volume production with professionalism, leading by example with mutual respect for fellow staff.

Took pride in providing guests with the best in food and service, constantly innovating cooking for satisfaction.

Combined efforts with management staff to plan business growth opportunities, hire staff, and drive sales.

Holiday Inn Cedar Rapids, IA

Executive Chef Jan 1995 – Dec 1995

Responsible for purchasing, staffing, and menu selection, as well as cost control for the restaurant.

Taught and led kitchen team, collaborating effectively with management to develop optimal service and food.

Maximized and maintained operation resources and inventory, accurately forecasting food and labor costs.

Developed a positive, cooperative work environment conducive for learning and individual excellence.

Thunder Hills Country Club Peosta, IA

Executive Chef Oct 1993 – Dec 1995

Responsible for managing food and beverage operations within restaurant.

Applied knowledge of sanitation standards, setting a high standard for kitchen conduct and cleanliness.

Communicated effectively with public, team members, and managers to lead and train a diverse workforce.

Understood financial goals, acting to accomplish them and identify new areas for improvement, in turn.

EDUCATION

Mt. Mercy University Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor of Arts, Business Management 2010

Iowa Military Academy Johnston, IA

Ordinance Officer Training 2001

Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA

Bachelor of Arts, Culinary Arts & Restaurant Management 1993

HONORS & AWARDS

Military Awards: Bronze Stars for Deployment to Afghanistan & Army Commendation Medal

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