Zoe Drinkwater
Godmanchester,Cambridgeshire
Summary
Dedicated culinary professional with a strong focus on customer satisfaction and food safety standards compliance. Demonstrates expertise in kitchen cleaning procedures, efficient delivery receiving, and handling customer complaints with empathy and professionalism. Skilled in baking fundamentals, food preparation, and stock management, ensuring seamless order processing and Just In Time stock control. Adept at negotiating with suppliers, maintaining a professional appearance, and adhering to strict hygiene practices. Committed to health and safety compliance, cultural awareness, and team leadership while showcasing resilience under pressure and multitasking abilities. Career goals include advancing culinary techniques and enhancing foodservice operations through innovative approaches.
Hardworking and enthusiastic catering assistant, trained in every facet of successful work. Stays on top of current and expected demands, quickly realigning tasks to handle needs. Dedicated to first-rate communication and team success. Proactive Catering Assistant with 9 years of expertise contributing to smooth-running of high-functioning kitchen. Meticulous in food preparation, quality standards and adherence to regulations.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work history
Catering assistant
Elior UK
Godmanchester, Cheshire
2016.09 - Current
- Conducted routine checks on cooking equipment for timely maintenance or replacement if necessary.
- Assisted in training new staff members, fostering a supportive work environment.
- Assisted in the preparation of buffet services, enhancing event experiences for clients.
- Supported head chef in meal planning and menu development to cater to various tastes and dietary needs.
- Managed inventory of catering supplies, reducing waste through efficient usage and ordering practices.
- Set up dining areas for special events, improving the overall ambiance.
- Upheld presentation standards by arranging food items attractively on serving trays and tables.
- Executed food preparation tasks efficiently to meet dining deadlines.
- Followed recipes meticulously to maintain consistency in taste and quality.
- Enhanced customer experience by promptly addressing queries and complaints.
- Provided excellent customer service, ensuring guest satisfaction.
- Demonstrated knowledge of dietary restrictions by preparing suitable alternatives as needed.
- Adhered to portion control guidelines whilst serving meals, maintaining cost effectiveness.
- Ensured freshness of ingredients by properly storing them according to food hygiene standards.
- Implemented hygiene protocols throughout daily duties ensuring safe food handling.
- Maintained cleanliness of kitchen area to ensure health and safety regulations were met.
- Collaborated with other team members for smooth catering operations during events.
- Served food and beverages to dining guests with outstanding customer service.
- Cleaned preparation areas thoroughly to avoid cross-contamination.
- Addressed customer questions and concerns with knowledge of menu items, ingredients and allergens.
- Prepared service area and kitchen equipment as directed.
- Maintained high standards of food hygiene through regular checks of fridge and freezer temperatures.
- Maintained skills across various kitchen roles, providing support in alternative positions during staff absences.
- Upheld outstanding levels of cleanliness through methodical clean-as-you-go approach.
- Managed food delivery processes, maintaining efficient storage solutions and meticulous stock rotation to reduce waste.
- Ensured cleanliness and usability of crockery, cutlery and utensils for smooth-running, high-functioning kitchen operations.
- Mastered skills across various kitchen roles, providing support in alternative positions during staff absences.
- Carefully prepared ingredients in accordance with menus, portion control and agreed quality standards.
- Inspected kitchen equipment and tools, promptly reporting malfunctions to prevent inefficiencies.
- Carefully prepared ingredients based on menus, portion control and agreed quality standards.
- Boosted customer satisfaction by preparing dishes to exact dietary needs.
- Followed prescribed methods of portioning and presentation, consistently meeting customer expectations.
- Collected, washed and sanitised dishes and cooking utensils.
- Cleaned refrigerators, freezers and dry storage spaces to minimise contamination.
- Followed checklists to keep kitchen areas clean, stocked and sanitised.
- Received and unpacked incoming deliveries, rotated existing stock and put away new items.
- Cleared tables and brought used utensils, plates and glassware back to kitchen for cleaning.
- Followed good operating practices, safety standards and equipment maintenance protocols to minimise downtime.
- Assisted chefs with preparing and presenting food, employing meticulous attention to detail and quality standards.
- Monitored and recorded fridge and freezer temperatures to safely preserve stock.
- Washed, peeled and chopped vegetables to be used in dishes.
- Maintained organised kitchen stations with meticulous care and precision, promoting team productivity.
- Readied ingredients and food preparation areas to support smooth kitchen workflow.
- Operated mixers, cutters and special equipment following health and safety protocols.
- Mastered different types of cuisine, catering to diverse needs.
- Used correct ingredients and ratios in preparation for different dishes.
- Measured, weighed and mixed ingredients following recipe formulae and procedures.
Education
Level 2 Food Safety & Health & Safety/Allergens - Food Safety/Health & Safety/Allergens
Highfield E-Learning
Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire 2025.09 -
Skills
- Customer satisfaction focus
- Food safety standards compliance
- Kitchen cleaning procedures
- Receiving deliveries efficiently
- Handling customer complaints
- Maintaining professional appearance
- Empathy towards customers
- Aptitude for creativity
- Baking fundamentals
- Sense of urgency
- Personal hygiene awareness
- Negotiating with suppliers
- Professional composure
- Instruction adherence
- Team player
- Complaint management
- Customer Service
- Food preparation
- Stock management
- Multidisciplinary teamwork
- Order processing
- Just In Time stock control
- Foodservice
- Food waste management
- Culinary techniques
- Health and safety training
- Food Hygiene
- Food portioning
- Strict hygiene practices
- Industrial oven operation
- Cook-serve methods
- Food assembly
- Order management
- Ingredients preparation
- Food storage techniques
- HACCP regulatory knowledge
- Facilities housekeeping
- Basic computing
- Food hygiene knowledge
- Stock control
- Exemplary communication
- Food presentation
- Raw materials quality control
- Food safety
- Food allergen awareness
- Customer rapport
- Knife techniques
- Portion control
- Menu knowledge
- Food product stock control
- Initiative taking
- Communication proficiency
- Stock rotation understanding
- Basic cooking
- Equipment maintenance basics
- Inventory checking
- Safety gear usage
- Safety protocols adherence
- Cooking basics
- Resilience under pressure
- Food preparation basics
- Dishwashing proficiency
- Basic numeracy for inventory
- Safety consciousness
- Organisational commitment
- Temperature control awareness
- Time efficiency
- Interpersonal savvy
- Health and Safety Compliance
- Cultural awareness
- Team Leadership
- Interpersonal communication
- Product knowledge
- Multitasking
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Level 2 Food Safety & Health & Safety/Allergens - Food Safety/Health & Safety/Allergens
Highfield E-Learning
2025.09 -
Catering assistant
Elior UK
2016.09 - Current