Karen Gale
London,London
Summary
Adaptable Sous Chef with 5 years of experience in Modern British cuisine. Handles challenges to deliver consistent results. Sources local produce to elevate dishes and attract loyal customers.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Sous Chef
Urban Pubs and Bars Ltd
06.2025 - Current
- Supervised all kitchen food preparation, operating in demanding, high-volume environment.
- Kept operations running smoothly and efficiently by keeping workspaces organised, clean and ready for service.
- Established clear standards for cooking, garnishing and presenting food.
- Enforced health and safety standards for food storage, preparation and handling.
- Monitored food quality, reviewing plating and presentation to maintain highest quality standards.
- Plated food according to restaurant artistic guidelines for an attractive presentation.
- Received deliveries and assisted with proper storage and stock rotation to reduce spoilage.
- Ordered supplies based on expected demand to keep stock within optimum levels.
- Conducted inventory checks and placed orders for kitchen supplies, whilst maintaining budget constraints and minimising waste.
- Monitored food costs closely, implementing cost-saving measures that reduced expenses without affecting menu quality.
- Created kitchen rotas, planning based on busy restaurant periods, required cover and budgets.
- Managed kitchen operations during service, overseeing preparation and presentation of dishes to maintain high standards.
- Assisted head chefs in staff training, including teaching best practices, kitchen operations and menu training.
Head CHef
Urban Pubs and Bars LTD
06.2025 - 01.2026
- Supervised work of cooks and kitchen helpers helping to keep kitchen running smoothly.
- Monitored kitchen area and staff to ensure overall safety and use of proper food handling techniques.
- Managed kitchen operations efficiently, coordinating with staff to maintain smooth service during peak hours.
- Ordered supplies based on expected demand to keep stock within optimum levels.
- Enforced health and safety standards for food storage, preparation and handling.
- Developed and maintained a positive working environment, encouraging teamwork and addressing conflicts promptly.
- Estimated food and labour costs and kept operations within budgets.
- Controlled and directed food preparation and service in high volume kitchen.
- Enforced proper and hygienic storage methods to prevent food loss.
- Completed regular inspections of work and food quality to verify conformance with specifications.
Head Chef
TGIF's
01.2024 - 05.2025
- Controlled food costs through expert ingredient sourcing and meal planning.
- Supervised work of cooks and kitchen helpers helping to keep kitchen running smoothly.
- Monitored kitchen area and staff to ensure overall safety and use of proper food handling techniques.
- Managed kitchen operations efficiently, coordinating with staff to maintain smooth service during peak hours.
- Ordered supplies based on expected demand to keep stock within optimum levels.
- Enforced health and safety standards for food storage, preparation and handling.
- Developed and maintained a positive working environment, encouraging teamwork and addressing conflicts promptly.
- Controlled and directed food preparation and service in high volume kitchen.
- Planned menus for daily use, special events and seasonal promotions.
Sous Chef
TGIF's
09.2023 - 01.2024
- Supervised all kitchen food preparation, operating in demanding, high-volume environment.
- Kept operations running smoothly and efficiently by keeping workspaces organised, clean and ready for service.
- Coordinated with front-of-house staff to ensure timely delivery of dishes, enhancing overall guest dining experience.
- Monitored food quality, reviewing plating and presentation to maintain the highest quality standards.
- Ordered supplies based on expected demand to keep stock within optimum levels.
- Established clear standards for cooking, garnishing and presenting food.
- Enforced health and safety standards for food storage, preparation and handling.
- Assisted in kitchen closing duties, carrying out sanitation tasks and organising stock for next day opening.
- Ensured kitchen operations stayed running smoothly by delegating tasks and priorities to chefs in an effective manner.
- Supervised work of cooks and kitchen helpers helping to keep kitchen running smoothly.
- Proactively helped chefs during difficult and time-sensitive tasks, throughout busy restaurant periods.
Chef de Partie
TGI Fridays
03.2022 - 09.2023
- Maintained high standards of kitchen hygiene, cleanliness, and organisation, meeting rigorous health and safety guidelines.
- Followed strict health and safety guidelines in kitchen.
- Prepped foods to be roasted, sautéed, fried and baked.
- Enforced health and safety standards for food storage, preparation and handling.
- Worked with sous chef to manage day-to-day rostering of catering team.
- Monitored food temperatures during storage and cooking to comply with health and safety regulations, reducing risk of foodborne illnesses.
- Supervised work of cooks and kitchen helpers helping to keep kitchen running smoothly.
Primary Assistant Teacher
The Vision Trust
09.2011 - 03.2022
- Supervised children during activities and play, helping maintain safety and proactively address behavioural problems.
- Helped teachers monitor playtime activities during break times.
- Developed lesson plans aligned with school guidelines and curriculum requirements to enhance student learning.
- Maintained safe, clean and organised classroom environment.
- Supported teachers in planning engaging learning activities for individual pupils and groups.
- Prepared classrooms for lessons by setting workspaces, distributing teaching material and loading presentations onto interactive whiteboards.
- Organised classroom materials and resources, ensuring availability and accessibility for all lessons and activities.
- Distributed and collected student assignments and tests.
- Supported student development by facilitating individual reading sessions and homework.
- Improved reading skills through targeted guided reading sessions, monitoring progress and addressing individual challenges.
- Offered students one-on-one assistance with class assignments and activities.
- Assisted in planning and preparing classroom materials, fostering an engaging learning environment.
- Assisted teachers in managing class behaviour using positive reinforcement and rewards schemes.
- Managed behaviour within the classroom, promoting a positive and productive atmosphere for all pupils.
- Used teacher assessment data to customise interventions and best help children with learning difficulties.
- Provided 1:1 support to students with Maths, Science and English.
- Marked homework with detailed feedback to drive student progress.
- Facilitated parent and guardian conferences, sharing insights on student performance and encouraging collaborative input.
- Executed planned learning activities according to teacher instructions, modifying approaches based on student reactions.
Skills
- Food preparation
- Cooking
- Food safety awareness
- Food hygiene
- Kitchen hygiene management
- Kitchen safety
- Inventory management
- Stock control
- Time management
- Customer service
- Staff supervision
- Food service
Timeline
Sous Chef
Urban Pubs and Bars Ltd
06.2025 - Current
Head CHef
Urban Pubs and Bars LTD
06.2025 - 01.2026
Head Chef
TGIF's
01.2024 - 05.2025
Sous Chef
TGIF's
09.2023 - 01.2024
Chef de Partie
TGI Fridays
03.2022 - 09.2023
Primary Assistant Teacher
The Vision Trust
09.2011 - 03.2022