5219 Merrimont Drive, Alpharetta, GA. 30022 (H) 770-864-1399 •(C) 203-814-7477 • plext@aol.com

Professional Summary

I am an energetic culinary professional with a blend of creativity, passion for food and exceptional cooking skills. I have been cooking since I was 18 years old. My mentor was my Grandmother, who was a self-taught cook.

As a private chef, I possess an innate skill in creating exceptional menu items. I pride myself on being able to cook for celebrities or for television the same as I would cook for anyone. I stay focused, always up for the challenge.  I have been lucky enough to have had a celebrity clientele in both my restaurant as well as in a home environment. I do whatever I can to bring a creative flow to my menus.

I work well as a dynamic leader in high-pressure environments that attract top-notch talent. Toni’s Tuscan Kitchen was voted the ONLY 5 star restaurant in Fairfield County, CT. Party planning is another passion of mine. I use only the best farm to table products and enjoy working with locally sourced products if seasonally available.

My clientele, family and friends have always told me that I should open a restaurant one day… so I did. The rest is History!

Work History

Private Chef / Catering                             5/2016 – Current

• Utilize my skills with menu planning, catering, different cuisines and styles of cooking to create meals for celebrity clientele, private parties, charity events and church functions.

Owner / Chef                                           3/2015 – 5/2016

Toni’s Tuscan Table, Bridgeport, CT

• Prepared food items consistently and in compliance with recipes, portioning, cooking and waste control guidelines
• Managed kitchen staff by recruiting, selecting, hiring, orienting, training, coaching, assigning, scheduling, supervising, evaluating and enforcing discipline when necessary.
• Reduced food costs by 18% by using seasonal ingredients, setting standards for portion size and minimizing waste.

Owner / Chef                                            6/2010 – 3/2015

Toni’s Tuscan Table @ Dish, Bridgeport, CT

• Maintained a skilled kitchen staff from recruiting to discipline.
• Maintained updated knowledge of local competition and restaurant industry trends.
• Actively involved in cost control, sanitation and menu development.
• Planned lunch, dinner and bar menus, as well as special menus for in-house special events, private dining and catering.
• Positively engaged with customers to create an “at home” dining experience.  Showed genuine appreciation for their business.
• Received input from customers, incorporated menu suggestions and provided feedback afterwards.

Skills

• Food presentation talent
• Attention to Detail
• Italian cuisine expert
• Effective planner
• Extensive catering background
• Ability to cook different cuisines
• Can cook for two or two hundred
• Experience with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free cooking
• Recruiting and management skills
• Marketing and advertising

Accomplishments

• Catered local charity ball for local politicians, celebrities and distinguished quests
• Winner of Food Network Kitchen Casino 2014
• Featured on Rachel Ray
• Toni’s Tuscan Table featured in Connecticut Magazine
• Semi-finalist in Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay contest, 2016
• Featured Food Network, Connecticut’s Fox 61 and News 12

Education

Associate of Arts, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York                        1988

Real Estate License

State of New York           1988

State of Connecticut         2000

References

Available Upon Request