Tal Thomas
Kansas City
Summary
Recent Food & Beverage Management graduate and hospitality operations leader with experience in high-volume operations, supervising teams, and applying systems thinking to deliver consistent, high-quality service. Coachable, results-oriented, and passionate about elevating guest experiences through operational excellence and continuous improvement. Member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and certified in food and workplace safety.
Overview
2
2
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Shift Leader / Assistant Manager in Training
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Prairie Village
09.2025 - Current
- Lead daily shifts in a high-volume fast-casual environment, ensuring fast, friendly service and a clean, well-maintained kitchen.
- Coached team members to uphold brand standards and foster accountability and hospitality culture.
- Monitored daily sales trends to inform staffing and product forecasting decisions.
- Trusted with ordering, receiving, inventory management, and maintaining compliance with food safety and operational standards.
- Train and mentor new crew members on service, workflow, and sanitation procedures.
- Identified operational opportunities and proposed improvements to boost service quality and efficiency.
Culinary Leader
Worlds of Fun
Kansas City
03.2025 - 07.2025
- Led kitchen operations across multiple food outlets, coordinating staff and maintaining service consistency during peak periods.
- Supervised and trained team members on food prep, line execution, safety, and operational standards.
- Managed ordering, inventory counts, receiving, and proper storage to maintain efficient daily operations.
- Ensured strict compliance with food safety, sanitation, and quality-control standards across multiple service points.
- Collaborated with FOH teams to balance staffing, station readiness, and guest satisfaction in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.
Lead Cook
Homestead Country Club
Prairie Village
08.2024 - 03.2025
- Helped build and stabilize a new kitchen team under a newly hired head chef after years of performance issues.
- Mentored and trained new staff on standards, workflows, and kitchen culture; promoted accountability and positivity.
- Ran expo and line operations during service, delegating prep tasks and ensuring timely, accurate execution.
- Managed opening and closing duties, including prep planning, station readiness, and sanitation.
Chef’s Apprentice
Kansas City Country Club
Mission
04.2024 - 08.2024
- Worked in one of the largest, most high-profile country club kitchens in the area, supporting upscale dining operations.
- Gained experience on salad, fry, and grill stations at the club’s high-volume pool café, maintaining speed, quality, and cleanliness.
- Ran expo operations to maintain communication, ticket flow, and food quality during service.
- Assisted with prep planning, task delegation, opening/closing responsibilities, and banquet service for weddings and private events.
- Developed strong knife skills, meat fabrication, and banquet execution experience under executive chefs.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Food & Beverage Management
Johnson County Community College
Overland Park, KSSkills
- Team leadership & development
- Operational management
- Food safety & sanitation compliance
- Inventory & cost control
- Guest experience & service recovery
- Systems & process improvement
- High-volume service & expo management
- Communication & collaboration across FOH/BOH
Certification
- Multiple industry certifications in food safety and workplace safety (e.g., ServSafe Manager, Osha 10-30.
- Member, National Society of Leadership and Success
Timeline
Shift Leader / Assistant Manager in Training
Jersey Mike’s Subs
09.2025 - Current
Culinary Leader
Worlds of Fun
03.2025 - 07.2025
Lead Cook
Homestead Country Club
08.2024 - 03.2025
Chef’s Apprentice
Kansas City Country Club
04.2024 - 08.2024
Associate of Applied Science - Food & Beverage Management
Johnson County Community College