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LETTUCE ENTERTAIN YOU

CORPORATE PASTRY CHEF

SEPTEMBER 2022 - PRESENT

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 

  • Spearheaded the opening of two high-end restaurant locations for Mira and Tre Dita at the St Regis Chicago , overseeing all aspects of pastry department setup, staff recruitment, and training, resulting in successful launches and exceptional customer feedback.

  • Designed and implemented innovative dessert menus for both restaurants, featuring original creations that elevated the dining experience and significantly increased dessert sales by 60% within the first year.

  • Managed a team of 9 pastry chefs and support staff across both locations, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and excellence that was reflected in high staff retention rates and increased productivity.

  • Collaborated with local suppliers to source sustainable and high-quality ingredients, reducing costs by while ensuring the highest standard of dessert offerings.

FOUR SEASONS CHICAGO

EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF

APRIL 2020 - AUGUST 2022

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 

  • Spearheaded the fine dining dessert program at the Four Seasons, introducing signature desserts that increased restaurant revenue by 80% and significantly enhanced the dining experience, resulting in a 90% improvement in guest satisfaction scores.

  • Designed and executed an innovative amenities program, crafting unique and memorable pastry experiences that contributed to a 65% increase in repeat guest bookings and were highlighted in several high-profile publications.

  • Led a team of 12 pastry chefs and staff in the creation of exceptional banquet items, elevating the Four Seasons' event catering reputation and directly contributing to a 85% year-over-year growth in banquet sales.

  • Implemented sustainable sourcing practices in the pastry department, reducing waste by 80% and fostering partnerships with different local suppliers, aligning with the Four Seasons' commitment to sustainability and community engagement.

  • Pioneered a pastry R&D program that introduced cutting-edge techniques and ingredients, setting new industry standards for dessert innovation and guest experience, and securing the Four Seasons' position as a leader in luxury dining.

VIRGIN HOTELS CHICAGO

EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF

APRIL 2019 - AUGUST 2020

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 

  • Conceptualized and executed bespoke guest amenities that elevated the Virgin Hotel brand, leading to notable mentions in different industry publications and a 80% improvement in repeat guest rates.

  • Led a dynamic team of pastry chefs and bakers, fostering a culture of creativity and excellence that contributed to Virgin Hotel being awarded as one of the best pastry programs in the city, highlighting our commitment to unparalleled guest experiences.

  • Collaborated with the culinary and marketing teams to create thematic, seasonal dessert offerings for hotel events and promotions, driving a increase in event bookings and guest engagement on social media platforms.

  • Pioneered a sustainability initiative within the pastry department by sourcing 100% of ingredients from local suppliers, reducing waste by 96%, and integrating eco-friendly packaging, enhancing the hotel’s reputation as an environmentally responsible brand.

LONGMAN & EAGLE

EXECUTIVE PASTRY CHEF

MARCH 2018 - APRIL 2019

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

  • Develop original recipes and dessert menus for lunch, dinner, and banquet menus using local seasonal fruits

  • Prepare all sorbets and ice creams in house

  • Expedite and plate on the pastry line during dinner service

  • Responsible for menu costing and monthly inventory

  • Design sugar and chocolate art

  • Train and oversee staff 

  • Execute daily production of all dessert items for the dessert menu and banquets

  • Reconcile pastry inventory; Product costing and ordering of pastry products and supplies

  • Re-structured dry storage, cooler, and freezer areas to ensure proper rotation and accessibility

  • Produce donuts for weekend service (every weekend is a different flavor)

  • Produce icings and fillings for cakes

  • Design, test and execute pastry products

  • Hire, train, and manage pastry kitchen staff

GILTBAR

PASTRY LEAD COOK

JANUARY 2016 - JUNE 2017 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

  • Supervised restaurant pastry staff of 2

  • Prepared and delivered desserts for events

  • Executed daily production of all dessert items for the a la carte menu and banquets 

  • Reconciled the pastry inventory

  • Restructured dry storage, cooler &  freezer areas to ensure proper rotation and accessibility

  • Finishing work for pastries and confections

  • Produced icings and fillings for cakes

STEADFAST / PORTSMITH

PASTRY CHEF SOUS CHEF

MAY 2016 - APRIL 2018

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

  • Develop original recipes and dessert menus for lunch, dinner, and banquet menus using local seasonal fruits

  • Prepared all sorbets and ice creams in house, as well as making signature chocolates for amenities 

  • Expedited and plated on the pastry line during dinner service

  • Responsible for menu costing and monthly inventory

  • Designed sugar and chocolate art

  • Trained and supervised staff of 6 employees

  • Executed daily production of all dessert items for the a la carte menu and banquets

  • Reconciled the pastry inventory; restructured the dry storage, cooler, and freezer areas to ensure proper rotation and accessibility

JFOOD

PASTRY COOK / FLORIST

SEPTEMBER 2013 - JULY 2014 

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

  • Finishing work for pastries and confections 

  • Produced icings and fillings for cakes

  • Designed and produced wedding cakes

  • Organized, created and managed dessert tables for weddings 

  • Participated in producing the food for the weddings

  • Preparation, plating and serving of desserts for wedding

  • Helped with floral arrangements; Cleaned and organized all flowers for weddings 

  • Help with the decorations of the weddings

  • Organize and arrange the decoration for events 

PUMP ROOM

PASTRY COOK

AUGUST 2014 - MAY 2016

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

  • Finishing work for pastries and confections

  • Produced icings and fillings for cakes

  • Decorated specialty cakes for birthdays and weddings 

  • Managed the pastry line at Lunch and Brunch service 

  • Assembled cakes for weddings, birthdays and special occasions 

CHEECA LODGE & SPA

PASTRY COOK

DECEMBER 2011 - JUNE 2012

ISLAMORADA, FLORIDA KEYS

  • Participated in producing and assembling all desserts on the menu

  • Created and produced unique VIP desserts, molded chocolates and petit fours

  • Created and produced different flavors of gelato 

  • Created and produced different mignardises daily

  • Decorated specialty cakes for birthdays and weddings

  • Managed the pastry line at dinner service

  • Created and produced welcome amenities 

EDUCATION

THE FRENCH PASTRY SCHOOL

L' ART DU GATEAU

JANUARY 2014 / MAY 2014

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Studied under Chefs Chefs Sébastien Canonne M.O.F., Jacquy Pfeiffer, Nicholas Lodge, Sunny Lee and Patrice Caillot.  

​

THE FRENCH PASTRY SCHOOL

L' ART DE LA PATISSERIE

JULY 2013 / DECEMBER 2013

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Studied under Chefs Sebastien Canonne M.O.F., John Kraus, En Ming Hsu, Jacquy Pfeiffer, Patrice Caillot, Joel Reno, Sunny Lee, Eric Perez and Joshua Johnson 

 

INSTITUTO SUPERIOR MARIANO MORENO

CULINARY ARTS WITH MANAGEMENT EMPHASIS

JANUARY 2011 / JUNE 2013

ASSOCIATES DEGREE

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA

INSTITUTO SUPERIOR MARIANO MORENO

PASTRY ARTS 

JUNE 2011 / DECEMBER 2011

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA

Professional skillset

Wedding Cakes

Chocolate Work

High Production

Wedding Cakes

Platted Desserts

Viennoiserie 

Birchstreet Systems

Vegan Baking

Bread Production

Labor & Food Cost 

Languages

Spanish (native)

English (proficient)

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