Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Werner Smit

Hamilton

Summary

Experienced culinary professional with a strong foundation in classical training. Skilled in building relationships and leading high-performing teams in the restaurant industry. Recognized for exceptional customer service and operational excellence. Committed to upholding food safety standards, implementing best practices in customer service, and delivering top-quality food service to drive organizational growth.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Chef

The District Cafe and Bar
03.2025 - Current
  • Streamlined kitchen operations, enhancing workflow efficiency during peak service hours.
  • Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
  • Checked freezer and refrigerator prior to each shift to verify correct temperatures.
  • Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
  • Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
  • Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
  • Utilized proper cleaning techniques to sanitize counters and utensils used in preparation of raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs.
  • Optimized food preparation processes, implementing time-saving techniques without compromising quality.
  • Prevented cross-contamination from utensils, surfaces, and pans when cooking and plating meals for food allergy sufferers.
  • Inventoried food, ingredient, and supply stock to prepare and plan vendor orders.
  • Prepared meals from scratch using authentic, popular recipes to generate repeat business.

Freelance Chef

Chef On Call
09.2024 - 02.2025
  • Freelance Chef assisting Restaurants, Cafés and Catering companies with prepping, running kitchens and filling in when short staffed.
  • Streamlined food preparation processes, resulting in improved service speed without sacrificing quality.
  • Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, maintaining high standards in food handling practices.
  • Cultivated a positive work culture among kitchen staff through open communication lines and mutual respect within the team.
  • Successfully met dietary requirements for diverse clientele by providing customized meal options upon request.
  • Upheld stringent food safety regulations, ensuring compliance with all relevant health department guidelines.
  • Responded to dietary concerns and food allergies, creating dishes to meet customer needs and palates.
  • Enhanced customer satisfaction by consistently delivering high-quality culinary creations.

Head Chef

Woodlands Garden Grove Cafe
09.2020 - 08.2024
  • Develop recipes and menus to meet consumer demand and align with culinary trends.
  • Create tasty dishes using popular recipes, delighting patrons and generating return business.
  • Order food supplies from vendors to maintain adequate stock levels.
  • Check quality of food products to meet high standards.
  • Observe food safety and sanitation protocols to reduce germ spread.
  • Ensure compliance with health department regulations regarding hygiene and sanitation practices.
  • Monitor kitchen area and staff to maintain overall safety and establish proper food handling techniques.
  • Monitor quality, presentation, and quantities of plated food across line.
  • Use proper cleaning supplies and methods to disinfect counters where raw meat, poultry, fish, and eggs has been prepared.

Sous Chef

Hamilton Workingmen's Club
08.2019 - 07.2020
  • Trained new hires in proper cooking techniques and recipes.
  • Determined schedules and staff requirements necessary to prepare and plate food.
  • Monitored inventory levels to ensure adequate supplies on hand.
  • Supervised kitchen food preparation in demanding, high-volume environments.
  • Trained kitchen workers on culinary techniques.
  • Oversaw inventory and ordered ingredients to restock freezers, fridges, and pantry.
  • Placed frequently used ingredients in proper storage containers and placed perishable items in refrigerator.
  • Supervised cooks and other kitchen personnel during meal services.
  • Redundancy due to Covid-19

Head Chef

Onyx Restaurant
01.2019 - 07.2019
  • Monitored quality, presentation, and quantities of plated food across line.
  • Checked quality of food products to meet high standards.
  • Planned kitchen staff schedules to maximize coverage and encourage collaboration.
  • Improved performance of team members resulting in high-quality meals produced daily.
  • Created weekly work schedules for kitchen personnel based on anticipated business volume.
  • Delegated tasks for kitchen employees and developed staff teams to streamline food preparation procedures.
  • Built and managed relationships with local vendors to obtain fresh, quality ingredients at cost-effective prices.
  • Developed menus and recipes for a variety of dishes, including appetizers, entrees, desserts, and specialty items.
  • Suggested and prepared promotional dishes according to ingredient availability and customer preferences.
  • Relocate to Hamilton

Lecturer

Capsicum Culinary Studio
01.2013 - 12.2018
  • Built strong student rapport by driving classroom discussions and providing academic advisement.
  • Improved classroom teaching methods by observing fellow educators and learning new techniques.
  • Developed syllabus of lectures, classwork and assignments and distributed to students on first day of class.
  • Delivered course lectures using modern technology to enhance student comprehension.
  • Explained concepts through variety of methods, utilizing visual aids and analogies for key material.
  • Attended conferences and workshops to stay up to date on best practices in higher education.
  • Maintained student engagement through creative subject delivery and learning activities.
  • Promoted safe and clean classroom environment conducive to individualized and small group needs.
  • Evaluated student performance through tests, quizzes, presentations, projects, or other assessments.
  • Assisted students during office hours to review material, explain exam questions and answer concerns.
  • Organized activities and class events to drive learning objectives and promote engagement.
  • Immigrated to New Zealand

Head Chef

Villa Amanzi Boutique Hotel
01.2009 - 12.2012
  • Assisted with customer requests and answered questions to improve satisfaction.
  • Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
  • Supervised specialty dish preparation to satisfy customer requests and cater to various dietary needs.
  • Developed menus and recipes for a variety of dishes, including appetizers, entrees, desserts, and specialty items.
  • Built and managed relationships with local vendors to obtain fresh, quality ingredients at cost-effective prices.
  • Planned and prepared food product orders to maintain appropriate stock levels.
  • Organized special events such as banquets or catering services when required.

Education

NQF Level 6 Assessor -

03.2016

Diploma - Professional Culinary and Food Preparation

Institute For Hospitality Education
12.2004

Skills

  • Inventory Rotation
  • Budgeting and Cost Control
  • Performance assessments and corrective measure mentoring
  • Food Safety standards and practices
  • Successfully executing Banquets and Catering
  • Knowledge of Kitchen Tools
  • Menu Planning
  • Variety of Food Preparation Techniques
  • Kitchen and Staff Management
  • Food and Beverage Pairing
  • Staff Training
  • Effective Cost Control
  • Knife skills
  • Cooking techniques

Languages

English: Professional
Afrikaans: Professional

Timeline

Chef

The District Cafe and Bar
03.2025 - Current

Freelance Chef

Chef On Call
09.2024 - 02.2025

Head Chef

Woodlands Garden Grove Cafe
09.2020 - 08.2024

Sous Chef

Hamilton Workingmen's Club
08.2019 - 07.2020

Head Chef

Onyx Restaurant
01.2019 - 07.2019

Lecturer

Capsicum Culinary Studio
01.2013 - 12.2018

Head Chef

Villa Amanzi Boutique Hotel
01.2009 - 12.2012

Diploma - Professional Culinary and Food Preparation

Institute For Hospitality Education

NQF Level 6 Assessor -

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Werner Smit