Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Claire Matthews

Chelmsford,Essex

Summary

Experienced in food service with a strong understanding of food hygiene enforcement and risk assessment. Proficient in kitchen equipment operation and maintenance, purchasing decision-making, and portions control. Demonstrates effective planning, kitchen organisation, and delivery inspections. Skilled in developing special dietary menus, ensuring quality control, and managing food allergens. Holds certifications in Food Hygiene and First Aid. Committed to maintaining HACCP compliance and kitchen safety protocols while fostering creativity in menu designing. Career goal: to leverage extensive catering experience to enhance food safety standards and culinary excellence within a dynamic team environment.


Hardworking kitchen team member always ready to assist with diverse needs. Helps keep kitchen clean, stocked and organised for fast-paced demands. Trained in health, safety and best practices for kitchen support.

Overview

35
35
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Nursery cook

Freedom Day Nursery and Pre-School
Great Dunmow, Essex
11.2021 - Current
  • Created special menus for events with unique ingredients and recipes.
  • Followed kitchen opening and closing procedures when preparing cooking supplies, ingredients and workstations.
  • Used batch cooking equipment to create multiple meal items at once.
  • Maintained open communication with parents about their child's diet plan; fostering trust and reassurance.
  • Regulated temperature to efficiently prepare dishes and maintain food safety with thermostat controls.
  • Maintained clean and sanitary food preparation and storage areas, mitigating health and safety risks.
  • Completed daily opening and closing duties to support kitchen operations and prepare for busy periods.
  • Kept accurate records of children's food allergies, reducing risk of adverse reactions.
  • Cooked diverse range of meals catering to various tastes-encouraging balanced diet amongst children.
  • Prepared food items to meet recipes, portioning, cooking and waste control guidelines.
  • Prepared and cooked dishes with accuracy and efficiency for well-timed food service.
  • Verified proper portion sizes and consistently attained high food quality standards.
  • Stored ingredients at safe temperatures in compliance with food hygiene regulations.
  • Enforced proper sanitation practices to prevent food spoilage and contamination.
  • Worked efficiently under pressure during peak hours whilst maintaining high-quality output.
  • Changed and sanitised surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
  • I'm presently cooking for over 70 children daily from 3months to 5years adhering to all their specific dietary requirements.
  • Adhered to health and safety requirements for cleaning surfaces, cooking items and equipment.
  • Ensured safe food handling procedures by strictly following hygiene and cleanliness guidelines.
  • Coordinated with nursery staff to cater to individual dietary needs of the children.

Mobile Cook

TLC
Essex
09.2021 - 11.2021

Acted as mobile cook for various schools throughout Essex when the cook in charge was on leave, or extra support was required.

  • Followed precise recipes detailing ingredient requirements and cooking methods.
  • Changed and sanitised surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination.
  • Stored ingredients at safe temperatures in compliance with food hygiene regulations.
  • Regulated temperature to efficiently prepare dishes and maintain food safety with thermostat controls.
  • Adhered to health and safety requirements for cleaning surfaces, cooking items and equipment.
  • Maintained clean and sanitary food preparation and storage areas, mitigating health and safety risks.
  • Followed Food Safety manuals

School Catering manager

Essex County Council
Leaden Roding, Essex
12.2007 - 09.2020
  • Conducted regular staff meetings for improved communication within the team.
  • Recorded ingredients and quantity of catering supplies to maintain accurate inventory.
  • Led by example in providing customers with attentive, professional restaurant service.
  • Estimated food consumption for appropriate ordering from vendors and to avoid waste.
  • Handled day-to-day scheduling, ordering food and planning events to support catering logistics.
  • Maintained outstanding hygiene levels for optimised customer safety and continued regulatory compliance.
  • Managed all aspects of kitchen operations, ensuring smooth workflow.
  • Cleaned work areas and equipment to maintain faultless hygiene standards.
  • Assisted with infection control through social distancing and PPE wearing.
  • Replenished stock and processed deliveries to maximise product availability.
  • Kept appropriate stock levels to match expected demand.
  • Successfully maintained clean driving licence and access to reliable transportation.
  • Upheld hygiene and safety regulations through regular checks and audits.

Learning support assistant

Essex County Council
Leaden Roding, Essex
09.2006 - 12.2007
  • Maintained child safety, security and good behaviour during classroom and outdoor activities.
  • Applied student assessment information to personalise support for students struggling with assignments.
  • Monitored pupil progress closely, providing timely feedback to teachers and parents.
  • Observed pupils closely in classroom environment to foster engagement.
  • Offered students personalised support during in-class activities and projects.
  • Prepared visual aids, equipment and classroom displays for daily lessons.
  • Improved student engagement by providing one-on-one support and guidance.

Environmental Health Officer

Brentwood Borough Council
Brentwood, Essex
09.1989 - 07.2006
  • Evaluated effectiveness of pest control measures in residential areas improving overall public health standards.
  • Advised policy makers on relevant legislative changes based on latest scientific research in the field.
  • Witnessed in court proceedings as an expert witness ensuring justice is served.
  • Improved workplace safety through regular compliance assessments.
  • Enforced legislation related to environmental health, ensuring compliance from businesses and individuals.
  • Trained staff and contractors on occupational and environmental health compliance.
  • Negotiated with violators to ensure they comply with regulations, preventing further breaches.
  • Generated public interest in recycling initiatives through effective communication strategies.
  • Investigated complaints regarding food safety, leading to improved restaurant hygiene practices.
  • Maintained working knowledge of current laws and legislation on health, sanitation and safety.
  • Maintained faultless food safety and hygiene ratings across random inspections.
  • Investigated reports of injuries and near misses, testing equipment and inspecting work stations to locate hazards.
  • Assessed workplace risks, educating workers on related laws and regulations.
  • Consistently arrived at work on time and ready to start immediately.
  • Successfully maintained clean driving licence and access to reliable transportation.
  • Cleaned work areas and equipment to maintain faultless hygiene standards.
  • Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
  • Displayed energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.

Education

Level 3 - Food Safety

The Safer Food Group
Essex

Level 3 - Allergy Management

The Safer Food Group
Essex

Level 2 - HACCP

The safer Food Group
Essex

Level 2 - Nutritional Awareness

The Safer Food Group
Essex

Professional Diploma - Environmental Health

Tottenham Technical College
London
09.1989 - 05.1992

Bachelor of Science - Home Economics

Roehampton Institute of Higher Education
London
09.1986 - 07.1989

Skills

  • Food service protocol understanding
  • Food hygiene enforcement
  • Risk Assessment
  • Dietary adjustments knowledge
  • Food Hygiene Certification
  • Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
  • Purchasing decision-making
  • Portions control
  • Effective planner
  • Kitchen organisation
  • Kitchen delivery inspections
  • Special dietary menus development
  • Quality control commitment
  • Allergy awareness
  • Creativity in menu designing
  • Food preparation techniques
  • Catering experience
  • Food handling procedures
  • First Aid certification
  • Food allergen management
  • Food safety
  • Kitchen equipment familiarity
  • Ingredient stock control and rotation
  • Food storage
  • HACCP compliance
  • Kitchen safety protocols

Affiliations

  • My family ran a martial arts club for some 20 years, which until I had my family I partook in, gaining my blue belt.
  • I love cooking and baking, trying different dishes out at home.

Timeline

Nursery cook

Freedom Day Nursery and Pre-School
11.2021 - Current

Mobile Cook

TLC
09.2021 - 11.2021

School Catering manager

Essex County Council
12.2007 - 09.2020

Learning support assistant

Essex County Council
09.2006 - 12.2007

Environmental Health Officer

Brentwood Borough Council
09.1989 - 07.2006

Professional Diploma - Environmental Health

Tottenham Technical College
09.1989 - 05.1992

Bachelor of Science - Home Economics

Roehampton Institute of Higher Education
09.1986 - 07.1989

Level 3 - Food Safety

The Safer Food Group

Level 3 - Allergy Management

The Safer Food Group

Level 2 - HACCP

The safer Food Group

Level 2 - Nutritional Awareness

The Safer Food Group
Claire Matthews