Experienced Preschool Chef with USDA Meal Expertise

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PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Experienced Preschool Chef with a strong background in USDA FBG meal preparation for ages 6 months–elementary age. Former cooking instructor for elementary school students and chef leader in a Thai restaurant, with proven skills in menu planning, allergy-safe food handling, and kitchen team coordination. Reliable, organized, and dedicated to providing nutritious, high-quality meals in childcare and educational settings.

SKILLS

USDA FBG meal planning

Early childhood nutrition

Allergy-safe food handling

Portion control

Kitchen coordination

Menu planning

Team leadership

Works well with diverse groups

Experienced in cooking for large groups of children.

CONTACT

858- 525-2979

**********@*****.***

Schaumburg, Illinois 60193

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EXPERIENCE

Preschool Chef

OCT 2023 - AUG 2025 North County Community Services, Escondido, CA

Prepare and portion USDA FBG–compliant meals for children ages 6 months to 6 years.

Ensure safe food handling, sanitation, and kitchen operations in accordance with state and federal regulations.

Create age-appropriate menus, maintain correct portion sizes, and adjust textures for infants and toddlers.

Manage and document all food allergies and dietary restrictions; prevent cross-contamination at all times.

Coordinate daily meal distribution to each classroom and communicate effectively with teachers and staff.

Monitor inventory, order food and supplies, and maintain accurate kitchen records.

Assisted with preparing food for special events, staff meeting, and school activities as needed.

Chef Leader

APR 2018 - OCT 2023 Pailin Thai Cafe, CA

Improved food quality and consistency by creating new, diverse recipes.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees

Knowledge of the operation and care of food service equipment

Physical abilities to stand for long period of time ( at least 4 hours shift)

Engaged with customers to offer menu information, provide suggestions and show genuine appreciation for business

Labeled and stored raw food ingredients in appropriate storage room, walk-in refrigerator, or freezer.

Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, food storage and use of kitchen equipment and utensils.

Child Nutrition Assistant

MAR 2023 - OCT 2023 San Marcos Unified School District, San Diego, San Marcos, California

Layout all components for next-day salad bar/cutting, cupping, etc.

Provided hands-on cooking lessons to elementary students for after school activities

Figure out my counts for each lunch serve

Cook Accordingly ( Buns, Sandwiches, Pizza)

In between serve: Wash dishes, do holding temps on hot entrees in warmer, give updated remaining entree counts to manager in case more entrees need to be panned

Cleaned and sanitized kitchen equipment, utensils and work stations.

Stored food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.

Washed, peeled and cut fruits and vegetables to prepare for cooking or serving.

Cook

APR 2016 - APR 2018 Pailin Thai Cafe, CA, California

Prepped items for various cooking methods by seasoning or marinating.

Portioned food before cooking according to standard portion sizes and recipe specifications.

Prepared variety of dishes using industrial kitchen equipment

Customer Service Cashier

JAN 2014 - MAR 2016 Pailin Thai Cuisine LLC, San Diego, CA

Maintained customer satisfaction by gathering actionable insights and offering solutions.

Addressed customers courteously using suitable methods and problem-solving skills

Performed daily opening and closing duties such as counting out cash drawers and verifying amounts against sales receipts.

Used POS system to compute accurate sales prices for purchase transactions.

Cook's Assistant

FEB 2009 - JAN 2012 AJ Kitchen and Services

Assisted head chef by chopping and preparing cooking ingredients.

Prepared food for service based on daily specials and chef's needs.

Stored food in designated containers and storage areas to prevent spoilage.

Verified freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items and rotating stock.

Prepared salads, soups and sandwiches according to customer's orders or supervisor's instructions and approved procedures.

Used manual or electric appliances to clean, peel, slice and trim food.

Set up and performed initial prep work for soups, sauces and salads.

Monitored work areas, serving lines and eating areas to verify safe food preparation and service environment.

Washed preparation utensils, tools and machinery by hand or industrial dishwasher.

EDUCATION

MBA in Business Economic

DEC 2023 Southern States University, CA

Certicifate of Thai Cooking in Cooking

FEB 2014 Vocational Thai Food School

Some College (No Degree) in Thai Cooking

MAY 2000 Thammasat Unviversity

Bachelor of Arts in BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

APR 1988 Thammasat University

CERTIFICATIONS

Illinois Food Handler Certification

First Aid/CPR/AED Certification

Food Manager Certificate

Training-Meal Pattern Guide Dec 2023

Training- Healthy Food Preparation Techniques

Training- All Aboard The Whole Grain Express

Training- A Hands on Method in Calculating Quality Needs

Training- Infant Meal Pattern Guide Dec 2023

Training- Child Abuse & Neglect Reporter

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS

Community Service, Thai English Kindergarten Teacher's Aide Volunteer, Bangkok, Thailand, Wat Boon Thai Temple, 01/01/07, 02/01/10, Getting the classroom ready for lesson, Create Thai and English Alphabet lesson to interest children, Helping children stay focused during class hours

REFERENCES

References available upon request

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JANE J APIVAT

CHEF MANAGER

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Contact this candidate