Green Pig Bistro; FreelancePastry Chef/ Kitchen Manager
Mar. 2012 - Mar. 2017Arlington, VAAs a key member of the leadership team, I played an instrumental role in the successful launch of a new restaurant in the competitive and rapidly expanding Clarendon area of Arlington. I developed and sourced an innovative yet classic pastry menu while managing daily operations, which included coordinating with vendors and support staff. My efforts in executing menu design, negotiating contracts, and collaborating with third-party vendors established solid business practices and efficient operations. I successfully built the restaurant's reputation throughout the DC Metro area by delivering high-quality desserts, garnering positive attention in both online reviews and mass media. During this period, I also explored multiple opportunities to assist friends in launching their businesses, including Bluebird Bakery (now Pluma by Bluebird in DC) and Stomping Ground in Alexandria, VA, as well as revamping menus for Astro Doughnuts, which had locations in DC/VA and Los Angeles. These experiences deepened my passion for sales and procurement in the food industry, ultimately allowing me to achieve a better work-life balance