Eli Tirado
Rifle
Summary
Results-driven culinary professional with extensive experience in kitchen management and staff training. Known for effective communication and time management skills, ensuring smooth operations and high-quality food production. Ready to enhance culinary experiences through innovative menu planning.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Chef
portland cider company
Portland
05.2025 - 04.2026
- Developed seasonal menus incorporating local ingredients and flavors.
- Developed menus and recipes for a variety of dishes, including appetizers, entrees, desserts, and specialty items.
- Coordinated kitchen staff schedules and daily operations to ensure smooth workflow.
- Trained new kitchen staff in food preparation and cooking techniques.
- Implemented efficient cooking techniques to enhance service speed during peak hours.
- Ensured food safety standards and cleanliness throughout the kitchen.
- Monitored food production processes to uphold high quality standards consistently.
- Monitored quality, presentation, and quantities of plated food across line.
- Collaborated with suppliers to source quality ingredients for cider pairings.
- Streamlined inventory management processes to ensure consistent availability of kitchen supplies.
- Maintained accurate records of inventory, sales, labor costs, and other operational costs.
- Organized special events such as banquets or catering services.
Sous Chef
oswego grill
Portland
03.2024 - 04.2025
- Directed kitchen staff in daily operations, ensuring efficient food production, adherence to sanitation standards, and effective personnel management.
- Prepared and presented high-quality dishes in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Managed inventory and placed orders to maintain consistent ingredient availability for menu execution.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations in food preparation.
- Monitored cooking times to ensure optimal food quality and safety standards.
- Implemented portion control measures to reduce food waste and optimize ingredient usage during preparation.
- Ensured food preparation and presentation met high standards of quality and sanitation.
- Assisted in training new kitchen staff on procedures and standards.
- Instructed kitchen staff on proper culinary techniques to enhance food preparation skills.
- Coordinated ordering, receiving, storage, and distribution of food items.
Sous Chef
Gubanc's Pub
Lake Oswego
10.2022 - 03.2024
- Trained and supervised line cooks, fostering skill development and enhancing overall team effectiveness.
- Coordinated food distribution to service staff, ensuring timely delivery to customers.
- Plated dishes using tasty garnishes and sauces to appeal to and delight patrons.
- Prepared workstations with ingredients and tools to increase efficiency.
- Managed inventory and ordered ingredients to maintain stock levels in freezers, fridges, and pantry.
- Analyzed recipes to determine menu prices based on cost of food, labor and overhead.
- Cleaned and sanitized kitchen equipment, utensils and work stations.
- Collaborated with kitchen and front-of-house teams to ensure smooth operations.
- Enforced portion control guidelines to minimize costs associated with overproduction.
Lead catering Cook
mundo catering
Portland
02.2020 - 06.2022
- Executed catering orders for various events while swiftly adapting to evolving client requirements.
- Prepared diverse menu items to meet specific client preferences and dietary restrictions.
- Collaborated with event planners to ensure timely meal delivery and presentation.
- Collaborated with chefs to create innovative menus that enhanced client satisfaction and event experiences.
- Assisted with menu planning for special occasions or functions.
- Ensured compliance with food safety standards during all cooking processes.
- Ensured proper food safety and sanitation procedures were followed at all times.
line cook
nama ramen
Portland
08.2018 - 12.2019
- Collaborated with team members to deliver timely food service during peak hours, enhancing overall customer experience.
- Cooked multiple orders simultaneously during busy periods.
- Prepared dishes in fast-paced environment with teammates, contributing to high customer satisfaction rates through quality service.
- Operated kitchen equipment safely and efficiently while following safety protocols.
- Operated fryers and grills according to instructions to maintain safety and food quality.
- Set up workstations with needed ingredients, utensils and cooking equipment.
- Followed proper food handling methods and maintained correct temperature of food products.
- Sanitized food preparation areas and cooking surfaces to ensure cleanliness and safety.
saute cook
milanos ristorante
Rifle
11.2016 - 04.2018
- Prepared diverse sautéed dishes, ensuring adherence to established recipes and quality standards.
- Managed cooking stations during peak service hours, facilitating timely meal delivery.
- Collaborated with chefs to create daily specials and menu items.
- Ensured proper food safety and sanitation practices in the kitchen.
- Maintained inventory of ingredients to guarantee freshness and uphold quality standards.
- Maintained updated knowledge of menu items including ingredients used in each dish and special requests from customers that may require modifications to recipes or preparation methods.
- Restocked supplies during service hours to maintain adequate levels.
Prep Cook
milanos ristorante
rifle
12.2015 - 11.2016
- Prepped vegetables and ingredients by washing, chopping and dicing.
- Prepared ingredients for daily menu items in fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Followed food safety regulations to guarantee quality and freshness of ingredients.
- Operated kitchen equipment to enhance food preparation safety and efficiency.
- Cleaned and sanitized work areas and equipment to ensure food safety standards.
- Stocked supplies and managed inventory to optimize kitchen operations.
- Organized and labeled stock of ingredients to streamline inventory management.
- Organized walk-in coolers and freezers according to established guidelines.
Dishwasher
milanos ristorante
Rifle
02.2015 - 12.2015
- Operated industrial dishwashing machines during peak hours, ensuring timely availability of clean dishware.
- Delivered clean dishes and utensils to kitchen staff promptly, supporting uninterrupted service.
- Maintained cleanliness of dishware, utensils, and cooking equipment.
- Loaded dirty dishes into the dishwasher racks and unloaded clean dishes from the washer onto carts or shelves.
- Collaborated with team members to ensure smooth kitchen operations.
- Conducted regular maintenance checks on dishwashing equipment to prevent issues.
- Sorted and organized kitchen supplies for quick access, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Removed garbage and trash to designated disposal areas in accordance with health regulations.
Education
GED -
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO12-2017
Skills
- Menu development
- Recipe creation
- Menu planning
- Menu pricing
- Culinary techniques
- Food safety standards
- Inventory management
- Cost control
- Budget management
- Banquets and catering
- Kitchen management
- Staff training
- Time management
- Kitchen equipment safety
- Team leadership
- Leadership qualities
- Effective communication
- Problem solving
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Head Chef
portland cider company
05.2025 - 04.2026
Sous Chef
oswego grill
03.2024 - 04.2025
Sous Chef
Gubanc's Pub
10.2022 - 03.2024
Lead catering Cook
mundo catering
02.2020 - 06.2022
line cook
nama ramen
08.2018 - 12.2019
saute cook
milanos ristorante
11.2016 - 04.2018
Prep Cook
milanos ristorante
12.2015 - 11.2016
Dishwasher
milanos ristorante
02.2015 - 12.2015
GED -
Colorado Mountain College