Keeleigh Durham
Long Beach
Summary
Dependable and detail-oriented worker with strong multitasking abilities and excellent communication skills. Experienced in food preparation and customer service, committed to enhancing guest satisfaction and streamlining kitchen processes.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Prep Line Cook/Restaurant Hostess/Expo Runner
The Rack House Steak & Spirits
07.2023 - 12.2025
- Prepared ingredients following standardized recipes to ensure consistency and quality.
- Maintained cleanliness and organization of prep area to comply with health and safety standards.
- Collaborated with kitchen staff to streamline food preparation processes and improve efficiency.
- Trained new team members on proper food handling techniques and equipment use for enhanced productivity.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail, ensuring accuracy in food preparation and presentation.
- Provided excellent customer service by swiftly addressing any concerns or special requests from guests regarding dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Assisted in training new team members on cooking techniques, kitchen equipment usage, and company policies.
- Demonstrated adaptability during peak hours by efficiently handling high-volume orders without compromising quality or speed of service.
- Contributed to a positive working atmosphere, fostering teamwork among kitchen staff for seamless service delivery.
- Consistently met strict deadlines for meal preparation during busy shifts, contributing to timely service delivery.
- Maintained a clean and sanitary work environment, adhering to health department regulations and ensuring safety for all staff members.
- Maintained a comprehensive knowledge of ingredients used in each dish to confidently answer customer inquiries about allergens or modifications.
- Showcased creativity in garnishing dishes, enhancing their visual appeal and attracting more customers to try them out.
- Trained new kitchen staff on food safety, preparation and cooking techniques.
- Greeted and seated guests promptly, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere.
- Managed reservations and waitlists using OpenTable system for efficient guest flow.
- Coordinated with kitchen and service staff to optimize dining experience.
- Trained new hostesses on procedures, enhancing team performance and guest service standards.
- Resolved guest inquiries and concerns swiftly, maintaining high satisfaction levels.
- Developed seating strategies to balance customer comfort with restaurant capacity needs.
- Monitored dining area for cleanliness and readiness, contributing to overall ambiance.
- Demonstrated strong multitasking skills by handling telephone inquiries while attending to in-person guest needs seamlessly.
- Handled high-pressure situations gracefully, managing multiple tasks simultaneously while maintaining a calm demeanor.
- Answered customer questions about hours, seating, and menu information.
- Maintained an organized waitlist for busy times, ensuring efficient seating of guests.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by greeting and seating guests promptly upon arrival.
- Took reservations and to-go orders by phone, answered customer questions, and informed of accurate wait times.
- Contributed to a positive team atmosphere by supporting coworkers during peak hours or when understaffed.
- Managed reservations effectively, accommodating special requests and ensuring accurate guest counts.
- Trained new hostess staff members on company policies, procedures, and best practices ensuring consistency across all shifts.
- Prepared dining room for service by cleaning , organizing tables and placing table settings.
- Managed seating chart and monitored activity in restaurant to keep constant and efficient dining flow.
- Actively monitored restaurant capacity levels throughout the shift, making informed seating decisions to maintain a comfortable dining atmosphere.
Prep Line Cook
Half Shell Oyster House
06.2017 - 03.2022
- Prepared ingredients following safety and sanitation guidelines.
- Adapted quickly to fast-paced kitchen environment during peak hours.
- Washed, peeled, and cut fruits and vegetables in advance to save time on food preparation.
- Trained and assisted new kitchen staff members.
- Maintained clean, hygienic kitchen workspace by sweeping, mopping, and taking out trash.
- Received shipments and placed items on proper shelves to restock and organize restaurant pantry.
- Followed health, safety and sanitation guidelines while preparing and serving food.
- Checked for quality, kept track of old and new items and rotated stock to confirm freshness of food and ingredients.
- Verified proper portion sizes to consistently attain high food quality standards.
- Prepared food items in compliance with recipes and portioning control guidelines.
- Prepared and cooked meals according to recipes and customer specifications.
- Kept kitchen clean and organized by performing daily maintenance tasks.
- Preserved freshness of food by storing food in designated containers and storage areas within freezer or refrigerator.
- Set up and prepared cooking supplies and workstations during opening and closing to maximize productivity.
Expo Runner/Restaurant Hostess
Half Shell Oyster House
06.2017 - 03.2022
- Coordinated timely delivery of food items to ensure optimal service flow.
- Assisted in training new staff on operational procedures and best practices.
- Collaborated with servers to prioritize orders based on customer needs.
- Streamlined communication between kitchen staff and front-of-house team for improved service quality.
- Collaborated with servers to ensure timely delivery of orders, reducing wait times for customers.
- Promoted waste reduction initiatives within the kitchen, repurposing or properly disposing of unused ingredients.
- Communicated food orders to chefs to execute priorities and special requests.
- Streamlined plating processes by organizing ingredients and utensils ahead of time for optimal efficiency during service hours.
- Managed high-volume order tickets, prioritizing tasks for efficient workflow during peak hours.
- Maintained a clean and organized expo station, improving efficiency in the kitchen.
- Achieved a fast-paced work environment through focus on speed and accuracy while assembling dishes according to chef''s specifications.
- Developed strong communication skills while liaising between front-of-house and back-of-house teams.
- Demonstrated adaptability by quickly adjusting to changes in menu items or special requests from guests.
- Served food at proper temperature to meet safety standards.
- Provided support to multiple stations within the kitchen when needed, demonstrating flexibility and teamwork among colleagues.
- Ensured order accuracy for guest satisfaction, double-checking plates before delivery.
- Performed post-event tasks such as breaking down areas, removing trash, and cleaning facilities.
- Carried out complete opening, closing and shift change duties to keep restaurant working efficiently and teams ready to meet customer needs.
- Cross-trained to handle different restaurant roles, including bar, kitchen and to-go stations.
- Opened and closed seating sections according to volume of guests.
- Provided patrons with estimated waiting times during peak service hours.
- Seated patrons based on guest preferences and seating availability.
- Organized, stocked and cleaned establishment's front lobby during shifts to maintain welcoming appearance.
- Rearranged tables and chairs for large parties and retrieved high chairs for children.
- Completed daily side work and opening and closing duties without fail.
- Answered phone calls to take orders, give information and document reservations.
- Worked with front of house staff to move tables and adjust seating to accommodate groups with special requests.
- Trained new hostesses on customer service best practices and restaurant policies to maintain high standards of service.
- Greeted customers warmly upon arrival and provided friendly and warm presence throughout dining experience.
- Reported problematic guests to management to foster safe and pleasant environment.
Education
GED -
Pass Christian High School
Pass Christian, MSSkills
- Food preparation
- Hot food preparation
- Knife skills
- Frying techniques
- Vegetable chopping
- Order taking
- Phone etiquette
- Greeting guests
- Social perceptiveness
- Excellent communication
- Multitasking Abilities
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Customer service
- Quick-learning
- Willingness to learn
- Dependable and reliable
- Time management
- Cleaning and organization
- Highly motivated
- Efficient multitasking
- Following instructions
- Team collaboration
- Active listener
Timeline
Prep Line Cook/Restaurant Hostess/Expo Runner
The Rack House Steak & Spirits
07.2023 - 12.2025
Prep Line Cook
Half Shell Oyster House
06.2017 - 03.2022
Expo Runner/Restaurant Hostess
Half Shell Oyster House
06.2017 - 03.2022
GED -
Pass Christian High School