Darren John Holloway
Walsall, West Midlands,United Kingdom
Summary
Dynamic and innovative culinary professional with robust communication skills, leadership capabilities, and a commitment to teamwork.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Freelance Chef
Freelance
01.2019 - 09.2025
- Working throughout the hospitality industry, as either a Chef de Parte/Sous Chef/Head Chef or Pastry Chef.
- Effectively managed a large kitchen staff.
- Brought forth creativity and innovative food ideas.
- Contributed to the earning of fine dining awards.
- Remained up to date on food trends and the best seasonal fare.
- Designed unique menus using seasonal products.
- Managed allergies with care and professionalism for customer safety and satisfaction.
- Updated staff on menu changes and items.
Head Chef
Browns@Quay
Worcester
02.2016 - 01.2019
- Daily running of a busy fine dine restaurant with 12 room boutique hotel within Worcester.
- Worked to ensure a positive and hassle-free customer experience.
- Settled any customer disputes in a professional and pleasant manner.
- Identified and maximized sales opportunities, and increased customer retention rates.
- Worked to ensure a neat and attractive sales environment, and assisted in the setup of visual displays.
- Brought forth excellent customer service skills and a commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Handled food with sanitation and safety in mind.
- Helped to increase customer return rates by providing excellent customer service at all times.
- Worked to achieve high customer satisfaction rates by providing optimal customer service and creative tattoo work.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of all retail promotions.
- Effectively managed a large kitchen staff.
- Brought forth creativity and innovative food ideas.
- Sourced food locally when possible.
- Managed allergies with care and professionalism for customer safety and satisfaction.
- Remained up to date on food trends and the best seasonal fare.
- Designed unique menus using seasonal products.
Freelance
Self Employed
12.2015 - 12.2016
Head Chef
Woodlands Manor Hotel
Bedfordshire
11.2012 - 12.2015
- Daily running of 100 room 3AA rosette hotel and restaurant.
- Managed allergies with care and professionalism for customer safety and satisfaction.
- Brought forth creativity and innovative food ideas.
- Sourced food locally when possible.
- Developed attractive and popular wine lists and menus.
- Sourced elite food products, creating a better dining experience.
- Contributed to the earning of fine dining awards.
- Remained up to date on food trends and the best seasonal fare.
- Designed unique menus using seasonal products.
- Updated staff on menu changes and items.
- Worked to ensure a positive and hassle-free customer experience.
- Handled food with sanitation and safety in mind.
Head Chef
Palmer Arms
Dorney Village, Berkshire
11.2009 - 11.2011
- Designed unique menus using seasonal products.
- Sourced elite food products, creating a better dining experience.
- Remained up to date on food trends and the best seasonal fare.
- Sourced food locally when possible.
- Brought forth creativity and innovative food ideas.
- Effectively managed a large kitchen staff.
- Managed allergies with care and professionalism for customer safety and satisfaction.
- Contributed to the earning of fine dining awards.
- Updated staff on menu changes and items.
Education
High School -
Cowley High School
St Helens, Merseyside 01.1981 - 10.1986
706/1 & 2 basic pastry - undefined
Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Art
11.1986 - 12.1988
Skills
- Communication Skills
- Ability to Work Under Pressure
- Creativity
- Leadership
- Culinary Techniques
- Ability to Work in a Team
- Quality Assurance
- Knowledge of Food Chemistry
- Excellent Customer Service Skills
- Food Safety and Sanitation Practices
References
References available upon request
Hobbies and Interests
General keep fit, walking, and spending time with my family.
Timeline
Freelance Chef
Freelance
01.2019 - 09.2025
Head Chef
Browns@Quay
02.2016 - 01.2019
Freelance
Self Employed
12.2015 - 12.2016
Head Chef
Woodlands Manor Hotel
11.2012 - 12.2015
Head Chef
Palmer Arms
11.2009 - 11.2011
706/1 & 2 basic pastry - undefined
Birmingham College of Food and Domestic Art
11.1986 - 12.1988
High School -
Cowley High School
01.1981 - 10.1986