Steve Freeman Okpokpo
Dubai
Summary
Talented and skilled barbecue chef with a passion for the art of grilling. Known for expertise in smoke-infused flavors, tender meats, and mouth watering barbecue dishes. Proven ability to create delectable recipes, manage grilling stations, and deliver exceptional dining experiences. A dedicated professional to the craft of barbecue and providing memorable culinary delights.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Barbecue Chef
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant – BBQ & Sea Food, Cafe
12.2020 - Current
- Grilling meat, chicken and vegetables
- Catered for more than 500 guests per day in addition to live barbecue grilling
- Checking that ingredients remains fresh and safe for consumption
- Prepared meals from scratch using authentic, popular recipes to generate repeat business.
- 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.
- Maintained well-organized mise en place to keep work consistent.
- Responded to dietary concerns and food allergies, creating dishes to meet customer needs and palates.
- Interacted with guests to obtain feedback on product quality and service levels.
- Maintained high food quality standards by checking delivery contents to verify product quality and quantity.
- Coordinated with team members to prepare orders on time.
- Trained and mentored new staff members in kitchen safety, sanitation and cooking techniques.
- Developed and remained accountable for safety, quality, consistency and adherence to standards.
- Ensuring that workstation remains clean and orderly at all times
- Tracking inventory to ensure adequate supplies are always available
- Read recipes to understand ingredient needs and cooking requirements
- Inspected completed dishes to verify conformance with presentation and hygiene standards
- Up-to-date with types of food Elegies
- Oversaw grill, stove, and oven, and cleaned equipment after every shift.
- Placed orders to restock items before supplies ran out.
- Handled and stored food to eliminate illness and prevent cross-contamination.
Waiter
ABELA & CO LLC
08.2017 - 12.2020
- Maintained safe hygiene and food handling standards for full compliance
- Present menu and provide detailed information to customers when asked
- Inform customers about daily and seasonal specials
- Shared knowledge of menu items and flavors, enabling customers to make personal decisions based on taste and interest.
- Used cash registers and credit card machines to cash out customers.
- Bussed tables during busy periods to assist staff and quickly turn over tables.
- Up-sold appetizers, drinks and desserts to increase restaurant profits.
- Met with chef to review daily specials and menu changes.
- Displayed enthusiasm and promoted excellent service to customers, successfully increasing referrals, and walk-in business by 10%.
- Answered customers' questions, recommended items, and recorded order information.
- Inspected dishes and utensils for cleanliness.
- Maintained thorough menu knowledge to sufficiently answer questions regarding menu item sourcing, ingredients and cooking methods.
- Helped customers with dietary restrictions, allergies and intolerances obtain safe, delicious food by working closely with kitchen staff on alternatives.
- Offer menu recommendations upon requests
- Communicate order details to kitchen staff
- Serve food and drink orders
- Quickly reset and cleaned up tables after customers left to enable speedy turnaround and guest flow.
- Remained calm and poised when dealing with difficult customers or during busy shifts.
- Maintained customer satisfaction by clarifying questions about orders and specialty items.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with timely table check-ins to assess food and beverage needs.
- Upheld high standards of professionalism when dealing with customer issues, supporting serving staff, and waiting on tables.
English Teacher
HUIJIA KINDERGARTEN BEIJING
09.2012 - 08.2016
- Singing and playing English songs and games with 40 students
- Making kids feel relaxed and understood
- Teaching kids English using play cards, TPR, animated videos, music
- Teaching kids alphabet sounds, spellings, reading and communication using English
- Developed innovative lesson plans to engage students in English language learning.
- Assessed student progress and provided feedback to improve performance and establish academic success.
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Worked with other teachers to support struggling students and provide thorough help to rectify comprehension issues.
- Utilized multimedia strategies and technology to convey information in fresh and interesting ways.
- Coordinated activities to encourage interest in reading.
- Attended department meetings to develop and update course curricula.
- Promoted culture of inclusion, respect and collaboration in classroom.
- Produced engaging lesson plans and activities to help students master learning objectives.
- Encouraged kids to take active roles to academic success.
- Giving assignments and checking progress of kids
Education
PERSON IN CHARGE (PIC) - FOOD SAFETY
DUBAI MUNCIPALITY
Dubai, UAE2023
NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE ( IGC ) - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
NATIONAL EXAMINATION BOARD IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
DUBAI, UAE2022
BASIC FOOD HYGIENE - FOOD HYGIENE
ABELA & CO LLC
Dubai, UAE2018
BASIC NUTRITION AND FOOD TECHNOLOGY - FOOD AND NUTRITION
ABELA & CO LLC
Dubai, UAE2018
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF CULINARY TECHNIQUE - CULINARY TECHNIQUE
ABELA & CO LLC
Dubai, UAE2018
INSTITUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
IOSH
DubaI, UAE2018
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION - HELI SAFETY AND ESCAPE, SEA SURVIVAL & FIRST AID
FALCK SAFETY SERVICES LLC
Dubai, UAE2018
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT - TEACH ENGLISH AS FOREIGN LANGUAGE
I-to-i TELF
Dubai, UAE2015
High School Diploma -
MILLBANK HALL SECONDARY SCHOOL
LAGOS, NIGERIA07.2002
Skills
- Portion and Cost Control
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Made-to-Order Meals
- Food Preparation and Safety
- Food Plating and Presentation
- Catering Events
- Contamination Prevention
- Guest Satisfaction
- Company Safety Standards
- Safety and Sanitation
- Grill Operations
- Safe Food Handling
Timeline
Barbecue Chef
Al Khayma Heritage Restaurant – BBQ & Sea Food, Cafe
12.2020 - Current
Waiter
ABELA & CO LLC
08.2017 - 12.2020
English Teacher
HUIJIA KINDERGARTEN BEIJING
09.2012 - 08.2016
PERSON IN CHARGE (PIC) - FOOD SAFETY
DUBAI MUNCIPALITY
NEBOSH INTERNATIONAL GENERAL CERTIFICATE ( IGC ) - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
NATIONAL EXAMINATION BOARD IN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
BASIC FOOD HYGIENE - FOOD HYGIENE
ABELA & CO LLC
BASIC NUTRITION AND FOOD TECHNOLOGY - FOOD AND NUTRITION
ABELA & CO LLC
THEORY AND PRACTICE OF CULINARY TECHNIQUE - CULINARY TECHNIQUE
ABELA & CO LLC
INSTITUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
IOSH
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION - HELI SAFETY AND ESCAPE, SEA SURVIVAL & FIRST AID
FALCK SAFETY SERVICES LLC
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT - TEACH ENGLISH AS FOREIGN LANGUAGE
I-to-i TELF
High School Diploma -
MILLBANK HALL SECONDARY SCHOOL
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