Tara Cooke
Mussellshell
Summary
Dynamic kitchen leader with extensive experience in preparing and serving a wide variety of cuisines, consistently delivering exceptional culinary experiences. Proven ability to inspire and motivate teams to surpass customer expectations in fast-paced environments while upholding stringent quality and cost controls. Service-oriented professional equipped with strong multitasking, safety management, and decision-making skills, dedicated to fostering a productive and efficient kitchen atmosphere. Committed to continuous improvement and excellence in food service operations.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Kitchen Coordinator
On The Rocks Steakhouse
08.2025 - Current
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance.
- Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget.
- Implemented and maintained food safety and sanitation standards to establish safe handling and preparation of food.
Kitchen Manager
Burrs Restaurant
11.2023 - 01.2025
- Delegated food preparation duties down to cooks and followed up with cooks to verify proper preparation and production of meals.
- Conducted daily checks of refrigerators and freezers to verify proper food storage, container labeling, and surface cleaning.
- Checked and tested foods to verify quality and temperature.
- Created and deployed successful strategies to boost restaurant performance, streamline food prep processes and reduce waste.
Sous Chef
Hard Rock Cafe
11.2019 - 08.2023
- Plated every dish with attractive flair to meet strict restaurant standards and maintain stellar business reputation.
- Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
- Planned and directed high-volume food preparation in fast-paced environment.
- Trained kitchen staff to perform various preparation tasks under pressure.
- Monitored food production to verify quality and consistency.
- Trained and managed kitchen personnel and supervised related culinary activity.
- Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
- Worked closely with front-of-house staff to facilitate excellent customer service.
- Developed new recipes and flavor combinations to enhance customer dining experience.
Line Cook
Ramblin' Jacks Ribeye
06.2019 - 10.2019
- Upheld optimal staff and customer protections by monitoring food handling, cleaning and sanitation protocols
- Maintained well-stocked stations with supplies and spices for maximum productivity
- Cleaned counters, food preparation areas and equipment with sanitizing spray to prevent cross-contamination from raw meat and other items
- Adjusted established recipes to remove allergens or alter tastes for customer desires
- Prepared identical dishes numerous times daily with consistent care, attention to detail and quality
- Received food orders from cashiers and cooked items quickly to complete entire order together and serve hot
- Instructed new staff in proper food preparation, storage, use of kitchen equipment, sanitation and safety
- Sanitized kitchen surfaces and equipment by cleaning grills, griddles, ovens and fryers
- Wrapped up and stored unused food in appropriate containers and placed in refrigerator to avoid spoilage
- Grilled meats and seafood to customer specifications
- Prepared food items to meet recipes, portioning, cooking and waste control guidelines
Culinary Lead of Camp Critter
Great Wolf Lodge
02.2008 - 09.2012
- Recruited, hired and trained all staff, on average 12-14; providing direct supervision, ongoing staff development and continuing education to employees
- Boosted team efficiency by keeping kitchen areas organized, clean and properly sanitized
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize work flow to meet any daily demand
- Hired, trained and managed all kitchen staff, including employee development, issuing disciplinary action and conducting performance reviews
- Delivered in-depth training to workers in food preparation and customer-facing roles to promote strong team performance
- Helped general management develop prices based on inventory costs and portion sizes
- Trained staff on proper cooking procedures as well as safety regulations and productivity strategies
- Scheduled and received food and beverage deliveries, adhering to food cost and budget
- Coordinated and organized all restaurant inventory
- Maximized quality assurance by completing frequent checks of line
- Created and deployed successful strategies to boost performance, streamline processes and increase efficiency in different areas
Breakfast Lead Line Cook
Gee Cee's Truck Stop
02.2005 - 02.2008
- Prepared items like bacon ahead of time to promote efficiency in dish garnishing
- Changed and sanitized all cutting boards, benches and surfaces between tasks to avoid cross-contamination
- Fried, grilled and baked foods such as Prime Rib, homemade breads, such as cinnamon rolls and biscuits
- Prepared cooking supplies, ingredients and workstations when opening and closing kitchen
- Sanitized kitchen surfaces and equipment by cleaning grills, griddles, ovens and fryers
- Distributed food to team members with efficiency in high-volume environment
- Followed restaurant stock management schedule to monitor product freshness and rotate out old products
- Prepared average of 180 orders each shift
Line Cook; Breakfast and Prep
Spiffy's Restaurant & Bakery
04.2001 - 02.2005
- Verified compliance in preparation of menu items and customer special requests
- Responded to dietary concerns and food allergies, creating dishes that met customer needs and palates
- Inventoried food, ingredient and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders
- Properly handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination
Education
High School Diploma -
Sultan High School
Sultan, WABusiness Computing
BCTI
Everett, WASkills
- ServSafe
- Kitchen sanitation
- Food spoilage prevention
- Institutional and batch cooking
- Food preparation
- Supply management
- Kitchen organization
- Ingredient preparation
Timeline
Kitchen Coordinator
On The Rocks Steakhouse
08.2025 - Current
Kitchen Manager
Burrs Restaurant
11.2023 - 01.2025
Sous Chef
Hard Rock Cafe
11.2019 - 08.2023
Line Cook
Ramblin' Jacks Ribeye
06.2019 - 10.2019
Culinary Lead of Camp Critter
Great Wolf Lodge
02.2008 - 09.2012
Breakfast Lead Line Cook
Gee Cee's Truck Stop
02.2005 - 02.2008
Line Cook; Breakfast and Prep
Spiffy's Restaurant & Bakery
04.2001 - 02.2005
Business Computing
BCTI
High School Diploma -
Sultan High School