Darren Cassidy
gerrads cross,bucks
Summary
Head chef with 20 years of experience in hospitality and food service. Expertise in monitoring kitchen operations and ensuring compliance with health code standards. Proven leadership and management skills, with a strong background in food preparation and restaurant management. Recognized for exceptional menu creation and ability to perform effectively under pressure.
Overview
3
3
years of post-secondary education
22
22
years of professional experience
Work history
Head chef
Thomas Franks, Gayhurst School
Gerrads Cross, Buckinghamshire
2022.02 - Current
- Fostered positive work environment, enhancing team morale through daily interactions.
- Established strong rapport with team members through clear, effective communication.
- Maintained high hygiene standards in kitchen through regular cleaning tasks.
- Prepared dishes to high standards with careful attention to detail.
- Ran quality control checks to keep dish quality consistent each service.
- Coordinated special dish preparation for events and holiday menus.
- Monitored inventory levels and organised stock replenishment to ensure kitchen readiness.
Kitchen manager / Health & Safety Officer
Buckinghamshire Council
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
2015.07 - 2022.02
- Oversaw kitchen operations and managed 3-person station staffing assignments across centres.
- Planned menus based on seasoning, pricing, and product availability requirements.
- Created recipes and prepared advanced dishes for daily service demand.
- Hired, trained, and managed kitchen staff while directing employee development.
- Issued disciplinary action and completed performance reviews to address standards.
- Identified equipment repairs before breakdowns to protect uninterrupted service flow.
- Maintained kitchen cleanliness and complied with health and safety regulations consistently.
- Implemented waste reduction measures to generate cost savings and environmental benefits.
- Created special-event dishes that impressed guests and elevated reputation.
Head Chef
The Red Lion
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
2007.09 - 2015.07
- Hired, managed, and trained all kitchen staff for daily service delivery.
- Inventoried food ingredients and supplies to support consistent dish preparation.
- Created recipes, prepared dishes, and offered diverse menu options for diners.
- Achieved targets for personnel safety, kitchen sanitation, and safe food handling.
- Checked delivery contents for product quality and accurate quantity on arrival.
- Adhered to customer dietary guidelines to support satisfaction and repeat orders.
- Rotated stock to minimise food waste and maintain freshness across services.
- Implemented HACCP processes and kept workplace records up to date.
- Handled and stored ingredients correctly to minimise illness and cross-contamination risk.
Sous Chef / Head Chef
The Royal Standard of England
Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
2004.09 - 2007.09
- Supported head chef to keep kitchen service running smoothly daily.
- Delivered dishes to highest food quality and safety standards consistently.
- Adhered staff requirements through firm discipline and supportive motivation.
- Covered head chef duties when needed, maintaining service continuity and quality.
- Checked freezers and refrigerators to confirm correct storage temperatures regularly.
- Reinforced safety protocols across staff for a safer working environment.
Education
A-Levels -
The British School Of Oslo
Norway 1991.09 - 1994.07
Skills
Nutrition guidelines and special diets
Nutritional principles and lifecycle
Dietary health strategies
Food preservation techniques
Food processing and labeling
Food safety and hygiene (levels 1 & 2)
Food safety and hygiene for supervisors (level 3)
Emergency first aid certification
Safety management (IOSH)
Buccal midazolam administration
Timeline
Head chef
Thomas Franks, Gayhurst School
2022.02 - Current
Kitchen manager / Health & Safety Officer
Buckinghamshire Council
2015.07 - 2022.02
Head Chef
The Red Lion
2007.09 - 2015.07
Sous Chef / Head Chef
The Royal Standard of England
2004.09 - 2007.09
A-Levels -
The British School Of Oslo
1991.09 - 1994.07