Kurt Tennant
Asheville
Summary
Motivated professional with several years of experience preparing delicious meals for customers. Polished in following proper food handling methods and maintaining correct temperature of food products. Creative and artistic professional committed to strengthening kitchen team with better collaboration, recipes and cooking techniques.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Line Cook
Cafe Lou Lou
Louisville
11.2024 - 04.2025
- Replenished food items from inventory and rotated ingredients.
- Performed workstation prep prior to shift start.
- Received and stored food and supplies.
- Garnished and arranged dishes into creative presentations.
- Developed strategies to enhance food-presentation aspects of catering and retail environments.
- Operated kitchen equipment in alignment with OSHA protocols and manufacturer instructions.
- Retained consistent quality and high accuracy when preparing identical dishes every day.
- Memorized new menu items and ingredients quickly to help customers select items meeting needs and preferences.
- Sanitized workstation at end of shift to minimize risk of salmonella and other food-borne illnesses.
- Carved ham, turkey and roast beef for use in sandwiches and buffet carving station.
- Established and maintained open, collaborative relationships with kitchen team to maximize efficiency.
- Carried pans and trays of food to and from work stations, stove and refrigerator.
- Chopped vegetables and seasoned meats and fish in preparation for grilling, sautéing and braising.
- Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
- Adhered to portion controls and presentation specifications.
- Restocked food items throughout shift to prepare necessary ingredients for cooking and timely service.
- Adhered to sanitation policies at all times when handling food products.
- Trained new team members on proper meat and vegetable preparation techniques.
- Made meals in accordance with company standards and requirements.
- Cleaned cooking and refrigeration equipment to sanitize and prevent food-borne illness.
- Stocked and restocked kitchen supplies as needed.
Apartment Maintenance Technician
Blackoakprop
Louisville
12.2024 - 03.2025
- Resolved tenant complaints promptly and professionally.
- Implemented troubleshooting techniques to resolve issue.
- Routinely inspected equipment for preventive and emergency maintenance needs.
- Maintained equipment performance by cleaning and lubricating components.
- Inspected alarm systems and monitors to comply with fire, carbon monoxide and other safety levels.
- Cleaned air ducts and replaced filters as necessary to maintain optimal air quality levels throughout the building complex.
- Handled routine cosmetic updates such as painting walls and replacing outdated fixtures.
Line Cook
Kiwami Ramen
Louisville
11.2024 - 12.2024
- Replenished food items from inventory and rotated ingredients.
- Performed workstation prep prior to shift start.
- Received and stored food and supplies.
- Operated kitchen equipment in alignment with OSHA protocols and manufacturer instructions.
- Memorized new menu items and ingredients quickly to help customers select items meeting needs and preferences.
- Sanitized workstation at end of shift to minimize risk of salmonella and other food-borne illnesses.
- Carried pans and trays of food to and from work stations, stove and refrigerator.
- Adhered to portion controls and presentation specifications.
- Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
- Prepared food items consistently and in compliance with recipes, portioning, cooking and waste control guidelines.
- Restocked food items throughout shift to prepare necessary ingredients for cooking and timely service.
- Adhered to sanitation policies at all times when handling food products.
- Trained new team members on proper meat and vegetable preparation techniques.
- Managed multiple tasks simultaneously while remaining organized in a fast-paced environment.
- Cooked multiple orders simultaneously during busy periods.
- Checked temperature of freezers and refrigerators to maintain proper storage of cold items.
- Followed health and safety standards to ensure safe working environment for employees and customers alike.
- Prepped garnishes to reduce wait times during lunch and dinner rush.
House Mover
Lagrange moving
Louisville
09.2024 - 11.2024
- Wrapped furniture and fragile items securely, minimizing risk of damage during transport.
- Loaded completed orders on pallets according to delivery numbers.
- Used digital database to keep records of units and stock moved.
- Observed strict quality standards for box and furniture packing, avoiding damage or destruction of items.
- Loaded and unloaded moving trucks with efficiency and care, ensuring no damage to items.
- Performed pre-trip inspections on moving truck prior to beginning each job assignment.
- Walked through customer sites with checklists to verify job completion.
- Loaded and unloaded furniture and other items from customer's homes onto moving trucks for transport to new locations.
- Provided excellent customer service throughout entire process including loading and unloading procedures.
Sous Chef
Little Pearl oyster & raw bar
Asheville
09.2022 - 09.2024
- Directed staff in restaurant kitchen and field to maintain department objectives, standards, guidelines and budget.
- Helped management stay on top of supply needs by sharing information about low or spoiled inventory.
- Monitored inventory levels to ensure adequate supplies on hand.
- Conducted frequent line checks to keep food at proper temperatures in holding zones.
- Ensured food preparation and presentation met high standards of quality and sanitation.
- Chopped and diced vegetables and fruits to stock fridge ahead of busy periods.
- Built and managed relationships with local vendors to obtain fresh, quality ingredients at cost-effective prices.
- Supervised cooks and other kitchen personnel during meal services.
- Helped staff adhere to tough restaurant requirements through practical discipline and motivation.
- Created a positive work environment by encouraging teamwork among staff members.
- Communicated effectively with wait staff regarding patron food allergies and dietary restrictions.
- Enforced portion control guidelines to minimize costs associated with overproduction.
- Oversaw inventory and ordered ingredients to restock freezers, fridges and pantry.
- Collaborated with Executive Chef to create innovative dishes for special events.
- Trained new hires in proper cooking techniques and recipes.
- Coordinated ordering, receiving, storage, and distribution of food items.
- Performed weekly inspections of all equipment for safety compliance.
- Prepared variety of foods according to exact instructions and recipe specifications.
Dishwasher
Tupelo Honey Cafe
Asheville
03.2022 - 09.2022
- Removed built-up waste and potential contaminants from waste receptacles, machinery, and cooking equipment.
- Performed routine maintenance tasks such as cleaning filters in the dishwashing machine.
- Repaired and maintained dishwashing machine to keep dishes clean and kitchen running smoothly.
- Hand-washed items unsuitable for machine washing.
- Inspected all returned dishes for cleanliness before restocking them on shelves.
- Followed proper procedures to clean large and unwieldy kitchen supplies.
- Stocked service areas with clean plates, bowls, cups, and other items as needed.
- Ensured timely availability of clean dishes for various meal services.
- Observed safety regulations and used protective gear to clean knives and other sharp kitchen supplies.
- Scrubbed and sanitized dishes, pots, pans, utensils, and other kitchen equipment.
- Loaded dirty dishes into the dishwasher racks and unloaded clean dishes from the washer onto carts or shelves.
- Removed garbage and trash to designated disposal areas in accordance with health regulations.
Stagehand
Centerstage productions
New Orleans
11.2021 - 02.2022
- Ensured that all necessary safety standards were followed while installing equipment.
- Maintained detailed records of stage layouts and equipment settings for consistency in recurring shows.
- Set up and tore down stage sets, lighting, rigging and sound equipment.
- Rigged lights, curtains, scenery and other pieces for shows and events.
- Managed backstage areas, keeping them organized and safe for performers and crew members.
- Loaded and unloaded equipment from trucks.
- Followed strict safety protocols while handling heavy equipment, reducing risk of accidents on stage.
- Kept track of inventory levels of materials used in setting up stages.
Stagehand
CrewOne productions
Nashville
05.2021 - 09.2021
- Set up and tore down stage sets, lighting, rigging and sound equipment.
- Rigged lights, curtains, scenery and other pieces for shows and events.
- Managed backstage areas, keeping them organized and safe for performers and crew members.
- Loaded and unloaded equipment from trucks.
- Facilitated quick scene changes under high-pressure environments, maintaining flow of performances.
- Kept track of inventory levels of materials used in setting up stages.
- Inspected cables, wires and rigging points regularly for wear or damage.
- Assisted in stage and technical setup and breakdown for performances.
Line Cook
Sidebar at whiskey row
Louisville
01.2021 - 03.2021
- Replenished food items from inventory and rotated ingredients.
- Performed workstation prep prior to shift start.
- Received and stored food and supplies.
- Memorized new menu items and ingredients quickly to help customers select items meeting needs and preferences.
- Sanitized workstation at end of shift to minimize risk of salmonella and other food-borne illnesses.
Lead Line Cook
Gerstles Bar
Louisville
08.2020 - 01.2021
- Cleaned food preparation areas, cooking surfaces, and utensils.
- Followed specific methods for food preparation and proper portioning.
- Collaborated with chefs on menu changes and special dishes for customers.
- Safely operated ovens, fryers and grills to prevent injuries and accidents.
- Kept stations stocked and ready for use to maximize productivity.
- Scheduled shifts for kitchen staff based on anticipated customer volume.
- Prepared garnishes for later use in meal production.
Education
High School Diploma -
Buckner Highschool
Buckner, KY05-2015
Some College (No Degree) - Culinary Arts
Asheville-Buncombe Community College
Asheville, NCSkills
- Food preparation
- Inventory management
- Menu development
- Team leadership
- Customer service
- Vendor relations
- Portion control
- Time management
- Employee training
- Conflict resolution
- Communication skills
- Batch cooking
- Heavy lifting
- Reliability
- Problem-solving abilities
- Kitchen equipment and tools
- Lighting rigging
- Equipment maintenance
- Safety compliance
- Attention to detail
- Physical stamina
- Load-in and load-out
- Set construction
- Body strength
- Teamwork
Affiliations
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wirewrapping / Jewelry making
- Painting
- Attending live music
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Apartment Maintenance Technician
Blackoakprop
12.2024 - 03.2025
Line Cook
Cafe Lou Lou
11.2024 - 04.2025
Line Cook
Kiwami Ramen
11.2024 - 12.2024
House Mover
Lagrange moving
09.2024 - 11.2024
Sous Chef
Little Pearl oyster & raw bar
09.2022 - 09.2024
Dishwasher
Tupelo Honey Cafe
03.2022 - 09.2022
Stagehand
Centerstage productions
11.2021 - 02.2022
Stagehand
CrewOne productions
05.2021 - 09.2021
Line Cook
Sidebar at whiskey row
01.2021 - 03.2021
Lead Line Cook
Gerstles Bar
08.2020 - 01.2021
High School Diploma -
Buckner Highschool
Some College (No Degree) - Culinary Arts
Asheville-Buncombe Community College