Executive Chef and Dining Services Director

Catherine Summers

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Hampton,VA 757-***-**** *********@*****.***

Professional Summary

Executive Chef and dining services leader with 17 years in culinary operations, including nine years of management experience and eight years as an Executive Chef. Known for hands-on kitchen leadership, health code compliance, cost control, and building trust with residents and teams. Experienced in creating welcoming dining environments where quality, service, dignity, and respect are central to the guest experience.

Experience

The Chamberlain – Hampton, VA

Dining Services Director 2023 - 2026

• Senior Living Dining Services

• Culinary and Dining Operations

• Resident/Guest Experience

• Menu Planning and Development

• Nutrition and Healthy Meal Planning

• Food Quality and Presentation

• Food Safety and Sanitation

• Budget and Cost Control

• Food Purchasing and Inventory

• Vendor Management

• Staff Scheduling and Supervision

• Team Training and Development

• Customer Service and Hospitality

• Catering and Special Events

• Point-of-Sale Systems

• Operational Administration

• Quality and Service Standards

• Team Leadership

Bauer Compressors – Norfolk, VA

Executive Chef, Bauer Bistro 2018 – 2023

Lead all aspects of daily operations for a corporate dining bistro serving approximately 50-100 meals daily. Responsibilities:

• Solely ran an on-site catering kitchen.

• Handled all prep, cooking, cleaning, menu planning, and ordering

• Planned and executed large scale corporate events, including events for the company president and the Governor of Virginia.

• Planned annual spring and fall corporate cookouts with external vendors, tents, and logistics.

• Coordinated annual corporate Christmas parties at large venues, utilizing an event budget of

$50,000.

• Managed vendor relations, food service, and event execution, end to end.

• Created a welcoming corporate dining environment, focused on quality food and exceptional service.

Rockafeller’s Restaurant – Virginia Beach, VA

Executive Chef 2015 – 2017

Provided culinary leadership for a high-volume restaurant operation while supervising kitchen personnel and maintaining food quality and service standards.

• Lead culinary operations for a 350-seat high volume restaurant.

• Managed food costs, supervised staff, developed menus and specials.

• Directed daily kitchen operations and supervised kitchen staff.

• Created employee schedules to support efficient daily operations.

• Managed food costs and monitored kitchen resources.

• Developed new menu items, seasonal specials, and holiday menus.

• Worked hands-on throughout all areas of kitchen operations.

• Trained new culinary staff and reinforced quality and service expectations.

• Maintained a strong focus on food quality, consistency, presentation, and customer satisfaction. Rockafeller’s Restaurant – Virginia Beach, VA

Banquet Manager / Catering Coordinator 2006 – 2015 Managed food service and event operations for a diverse range of catered events, including business meetings, military retirement ceremonies, and weddings.

• Coordinated food service operations for major and minor events

• Managed event setup, food service, and teardown.

• Coordinated event details and helped create welcoming, organized environments for guests.

• Supported food management and service operations across multiple event formats.

• Provided bartending and front-of-house support as needed.

• Worked closely with staff to ensure smooth and professional event execution. Education

Bachelor’s Degree, Culinary Arts

Art Institute of Virginia – Virginia Beach, VA 2016 Certification

ServSafe Certified 2025

Awards & Recognition

Chef of the Year

Virginia Beach National Travel and Tourism Hospitality Award 2017 Extra Mile Award

Certificate of Recognition 2022

Resident’s Choice Award

The Chamberlain 2026

Mission, Vision, Value Award

The Chamberlain 2026

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