Tina Lee
Hemel Hempstead,Hertfordshire
Summary
Talented Hospitality Manager with strengths in team leadership and operational excellence. Motivates staff through effective training and development, enhancing customer satisfaction and reducing turnover. Achieves compliance with food safety and hygiene standards, safeguarding service quality.
Overview
43
43
years of professional experience
Work History
Hospitality Manager
Hertfordshire Catering Ltd
Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
04.2020 - Current
- Managed team rotas effectively, guaranteeing optimal staffing levels during peak hours to maintain service quality.
- Built and nurtured positive working environments, reducing staff turnover and retaining strong front-of-house teams.
- Worked with energy and enthusiasm, leading by example to motivate high-performing, driven hospitality teams.
- Oversaw cash handling procedures, including banking and safe management, to ensure financial security.
- Conducted end-of-month audits for upper management review.
- Arranged team rotas to meet operational needs within staffing budgets.
- Liaised with local authorities and external bodies as necessary, representing the business in a professional manner.
- Generated reports and attended management meetings and briefs to discuss business needs, track goal fulfilment and make administrative decisions.
- Led by example in delivering first-class service, uplifting overall team performance in customer satisfaction surveys.
- Planned and oversaw special events for Hertfordshire County Council, including the Chairman's Garden Party, Canapé Receptions, Afternoon Teas and events for a wide mix of councils throughout Hertfordshire.
- During Covid, whilst most of the company was furloughed, I had the opportunity to work at Fairway Care Home, Watford, providing meals for staff and residents. Now closed, this was a halfway house for senior citizens recovering from Covid.
Catering Manager
Adeyfield Secondary School
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
09.2013 - 03.2020
- Employed through Hertfordshire Catering Ltd (HCL).
- Directed staff to stay within food hygiene and safety regulations by closely monitoring staff operations.
- Maintained high standards of food quality by reviewing shipments, overseeing preparation and monitoring food safety.
- Calculated ingredients needed to determine price for services and set budgets.
- Oversaw use of ingredients to plan for costs and minimise food waste.
- Trained newly hired employees on service techniques, company procedures and safety processes.
- Managed staff schedules, scheduling employees based on contracted hours and holidays.
Assistant Chef
Thomas Coram Middle School
Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire
09.2006 - 09.2013
- Employed through Hertfordshire Catering Ltd (HCL).
- Maintained excellent menu knowledge, enabling prompt, precise preparation of current dishes.
- Maintained high standards of kitchen hygiene, adhering to health and safety regulations to guarantee a safe working environment.
- Followed all rules and regulations related to safe food handling, preparation and storage.
- Supervised work of cooks and kitchen helpers helping to keep kitchen running smoothly.
- Monitored food temperatures during storage and cooking to comply with food safety regulations.
Transport Escort
Hertfordshire County School Transport
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
03.2005 - 09.2006
- Helped as an escort with the transportation of special needs children to/from schools on the official school transport vehicles.
- Held full Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance.
Tailoress
Self Employed Tailoress
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
03.2001 - 09.2006
- Provided the repair work for two local Dry Cleaning Shops: Mr Smart, Hemel Hempstead and Swift, Abbots Langley.
- Work ranged from minor stitching/repairs to major alterations, making curtains, one-off garments or fancy dress costumes.
- My tailoring continues today, but is now more of a hobby, generally as favours for friends or family.
Pastry/Sous Chef
Kodak House
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
09.1986 - 06.1995
- Joined Gardner Merchant, the catering contract holders at Kodak House at the time, in September 1986.
- Worked in a team of 10, providing up to 300 meals a day.
- Provided private catering for directors and visitors for evening and weekend functions.
- Developed pastry and confectionery goods following strict recipe guidelines.
- Promoted to Sous Chef in February 1988. Responsibilities included menu planning, ordering and stock control.
- Supervisor over function work and quality standards to company specifications.
- Redundancy was announced for the entire Catering Department in 1993.
- The contract was taken over by Sutcliffe Catering in August who continued my contract.
- Duties continued as before, being given more responsibility by running all areas in the Head Chef’s absence.
- Left in June 1995, deciding not to return after maternity leave, to look after my first son.
Weekend Worker
Martins Community Home for Young People
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
06.1986 - 10.1986
- Coordinated three daily meal preparations for staff and young people.
- Managed daily catering across a large family setting with diverse backgrounds.
- Made the decision to stop duties due to increased weekly workload.
Relief Chef
Blue Arrow
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
11.1985 - 09.1986
- Worked for the Hemel Hempstead Post House Hotel as Sous Chef/Pastry Chef, serving à la carte menus, handmade pastries and exotic fresh table displays.
- At Crossfields, Hemel Hempstead, as 3rd Chef, helped in the day-to-day preparation of starters, vegetables, salads and sweets.
- At the Royal Mail, Hemel Hempstead, as Head Cook, prepared menus, ordered dried goods and fresh produce and took charge of stock control and the general running of the unit.
- At La Casetta in Kings Langley, as 3rd Chef, experienced food preparation for a busy Italian Restaurant whose specialities included homemade pasta and a high-class sweet trolley.
Grill Chef
Vittle Inns Ltd
Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
10.1984 - 11.1985
- Worked split shifts over five days, including weekends, which allowed me to continue day release studies for my C&G 706 Parts 1 & 2.
- Learnt the basic skills required in the 'fast food' industry.
- Occasional bar work and cover for waiting duties.
- Used creative presentation and plating skills to distribute prepared food to servers.
- Worked with experienced chefs to learn requirements of different cooking stations and dishes.
- Left in November 1985 for improved salary and to experience a broader span of work in the catering industry.
Confectioner
Polapine Ltd
Wembley, Middlesex
06.1983 - 10.1984
- Demonstrated expertise in piping techniques for fresh cream, gateaux, icing sugar craft, and savoury products.
- Managed multiple cake orders simultaneously, achieving timely completion and maintaining high customer satisfaction.
- Created pastry and confectionery goods by strictly following recipe guidelines, ensuring quality and consistency.
- Adhered to food safety and hygiene standards during cake decoration and preparation processes.
- Pursued C&G 706 Parts 1 & 2 qualifications through day release college courses to enhance professional skills.
- Notified of redundancy affecting the entire Bakery Department in October 1984.
Education
Nash Mills Church of England Primary School
Hemel Hempstead, HertfordshireKings Langley Secondary School
Kings Langley, HertfordshireCollege Diploma - City & Guilds 120 Part 1 & 2 Bakery, 121 Design & Decoration Flour Confectionery, 772 Communication Skills
Cassio College of Further Education
Watford06-1983
Buffet & Banqueting -
Wembley Conference Centre
06-1983
City & Guilds 706 Part 1 & 2 - Catering
Cassio College of Further Education
Watford06-1986
Skills
- Hospitality
- Event coordination
- Food and beverage knowledge
- Food safety compliance
- Food hygiene training
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Inventory management
- Stock control methods
- Operational efficiency
- Cost management
- Financial analysis
- Service Management
- Team leadership
- Staff leadership
- Staff training and development
- Customer service
- Customer relations
- Complaint handling
- Time management expertise
- Attention to Detail
- Positive attitude
Timeline
Hospitality Manager
Hertfordshire Catering Ltd
04.2020 - Current
Catering Manager
Adeyfield Secondary School
09.2013 - 03.2020
Assistant Chef
Thomas Coram Middle School
09.2006 - 09.2013
Transport Escort
Hertfordshire County School Transport
03.2005 - 09.2006
Tailoress
Self Employed Tailoress
03.2001 - 09.2006
Pastry/Sous Chef
Kodak House
09.1986 - 06.1995
Weekend Worker
Martins Community Home for Young People
06.1986 - 10.1986
Relief Chef
Blue Arrow
11.1985 - 09.1986
Grill Chef
Vittle Inns Ltd
10.1984 - 11.1985
Confectioner
Polapine Ltd
06.1983 - 10.1984
Nash Mills Church of England Primary School
Kings Langley Secondary School
College Diploma - City & Guilds 120 Part 1 & 2 Bakery, 121 Design & Decoration Flour Confectionery, 772 Communication Skills
Cassio College of Further Education
Buffet & Banqueting -
Wembley Conference Centre
City & Guilds 706 Part 1 & 2 - Catering
Cassio College of Further Education