Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Summary
Links - Company Website
Personal Information
References
Timeline
Generic

VIRGINIA DANFORD

St. Albans

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience

Work History

Chef Manager

CONNECT CATERING
HARPENDEN
01.2021 - Current
  • Started as assistant chef reporting to the Chef Manager at St Hilda's School, Harpenden.
    Duties involved making/baking of all the desserts for children and staff (160+) plus giving full support to the Chef Manager, serving and opening and closing of kitchen.
    An opening became available in July 2021 so I was promoted to Chef Manager, my duties include -
    Created menus based on seasonal ingredients and customer preferences.
  • Ordered food supplies every week to restock inventory, remaining aware of budgets.
  • Developed and implemented training programs for kitchen staff to ensure proper food handling, safety, and sanitation practices were followed.
  • Reviewed monthly financial statements related to purchasing decisions for accuracy prior to submission for approval.
  • Assisted in developing new recipes that incorporated unique flavors while still adhering to nutritional guidelines.
  • Ensured food safety by monitoring temperature control points, date marking, and rotating stock.
  • Prepared recipes, menu cycles and portion sizes within restaurant budgets.
  • Planned special meals for VIP guests or those with dietary restrictions such as allergies or religious beliefs.
  • Enforced health department regulations regarding storage and preparation of foods.
  • Scheduled and coordinated daily kitchen staff shifts while ensuring adequate coverage at all times.
  • Organized catering events with a focus on high-quality presentation of dishes served.
  • Monitored costs associated with food production and labor expenses to maintain budgetary goals.
  • Employed training and motivational techniques to keep atmosphere constructive for employees.
  • Evaluated staff job performance, rewarded excellent work and issued disciplinary action when appropriate.

Credit Controller

Caren Ltd
Beaconsfield
03.2019 - Current
  • Maintenance of customer accounts and queries for a make-up and hair artist agency
  • Management reporting, sales ledger control, and maintaining accounts relations with corporate cosmetics and film-making companies.

Chef

Virginia's Kitchen
St Albans
10.2014 - Current
  • Running a small and successful catering business since 2014
  • Providing full service including consultation, tastings, and menu design
  • On-site cooking for dinner parties and food deliveries
  • Creating and supplying chutneys/preserves to local shops
  • Implementation and maintenance of the Level 5 Hygiene award.

2nd Chef

The White Lion Pub
St Albans
10.2016 - 01.2019
  • Supporting Head Chef at a busy local pub
  • Heading-up kitchen, covering staff absence and participating in large garden events
  • Maintaining cleanliness and managing food safety
  • Assisting in menu designs.

Kitchen porter to 2nd chef

The White Hart Tap
St Albans
01.2013 - 01.2016
  • Started as kitchen porter and moved duties around within the kitchen
  • Headed-up the kitchen at peak times
  • Declined Head Chef role due to family commitments and own catering business.

Data inputer

Rennie Groves Hospice
St Albans
11.2012 - 05.2013
  • Voluntary work
  • Inputting new client data and care packages
  • Implementing house H&S hazardous goods manual
  • Credit control.

Company director

Disturb Media
Farringdon
08.2007 - 05.2013
  • Assisted in the set up of Disturb Media
  • Created and carried out HR processes and implemented Health and Safety system
  • Produced accounts, bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, and payroll
  • Customer liaison and entertainment
  • Assisted in the liquidation of the company.

Company director

Chiltern Cam Service Ltd/ POL Ltd
High Wycombe and Watlington
01.1987 - 01.2005
  • Family-run engineering business specializing in manufacturing spare parts
  • Started as Office Junior and rose to Company Director
  • Involved in all aspects of running the business.

Credit controller

Griffiths Brothers Gin
Penn
10.2019
  • Managing client accounts and ensuring prompt payment
  • On-site Gin sales at markets and festivals
  • Providing foods with Gin pairings for Gin production tours.

Education

CONNECT CATERING
ST ALBANS, WALLINGFORD
09-2021

Westminster Kingsway College
01.2014

Billingsgate Seafood Training School
11.2013

Metanoia Institure
01.2004

Amersham College
01.2001

St Bernards Catholic School

Skills

    Fast Learner
    Adaptability
    Customer Service
    Ability to Work in a Team
    Ability to Work Under Pressure
    Ability to Multitask

Summary

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Highly motivated business owner, with over 20 years of varied experience in multiple areas of catering. A Chef, who also offers expertise in book-keeping, management accounts, HR and Health & Safety. All delivered with a proven aptitude for staff development. An energetic self-starter and team builder, with the ability to navigate high stress situations and achieve goals on time, and on budget. Rises to, the challenge of juggling multiple tasks, and working under extreme pressure.

Links - Company Website

www.virginiaskitchen.co.uk

Personal Information

Place of Birth: Beaconfield, Buckinghamshire

References

Dani Taylor - Business Manager from St Hildas School - Harpenden bmanager@sthildasharpenden.co.uk
01582 712307

Caren Fisk - Business Owner from Caren Ltd
caren@caren.co.uk
01494 819014

Steve McConnell from The White Hart Tap
   whiteharttap@gmail.com
    01727 860974

Timeline

Chef Manager

CONNECT CATERING
01.2021 - Current

Credit controller

Griffiths Brothers Gin
10.2019

Credit Controller

Caren Ltd
03.2019 - Current

2nd Chef

The White Lion Pub
10.2016 - 01.2019

Chef

Virginia's Kitchen
10.2014 - Current

Kitchen porter to 2nd chef

The White Hart Tap
01.2013 - 01.2016

Data inputer

Rennie Groves Hospice
11.2012 - 05.2013

Company director

Disturb Media
08.2007 - 05.2013

Company director

Chiltern Cam Service Ltd/ POL Ltd
01.1987 - 01.2005

CONNECT CATERING

Westminster Kingsway College

Billingsgate Seafood Training School

Metanoia Institure

Amersham College

St Bernards Catholic School

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