VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Cooking in Tuscany
Cooking School Volunteer
04/2017-05/2017 and ​09/2018
Cooking in Tuscany is a culinary-gastronomic association based in a traditional Tuscan house close to Castagneto Carducci, Italy. I assisted in the cooking classes and food tours that experiment the old traditional Italian and the typical-Tuscan cuisine, to use fresh and local ingredients, to promote the culture and the tradition of a place through the knowledge of its products. With the cooking comes the cleaning. I was also responsible for clean-up of events and miscellaneous house-work, such as tending to the vegetable garden. Additional tasks included menu planning, food shopping and preparation, and editing the company's blog.
Texas Woman's University NFS Department
Summer Cooking Camp Menu Developer
10/2016-02/2017
As part of the recipe and menu development team for the NFS Summer Culinary Camp for youth, I helped create a one day menu based on the theme "Red, White and YOU: Culinary Nutrition Around the USA." The menu included an entree with two sides and a snack or dessert. I followed strict guidelines such as meeting MyPlate requirements, accommodating the kitchen skills of kids aged 9-14, ensuring recipes fit within the time allotted, and providing creative and palatable dishes. The final recipes were formatted with quantity of ingredients, time required for prep and cooking, directions, healthy substitutions, and the nutritional analysis of the original recipe and healthy version of the recipe.
The Gatehouse at Grapevine
Cheer Team Volunteer
10/2015-11/2018
The Gatehouse is a supportive living community where women - single or with children - in crisis receive safe refuge, ample time, practical resources and healthy relationships to discover new paths for permanent, positive change. The Cheer Team brings a smile to members by providing either baked goods, flowers/plants, or cards and small gifts for a family. I take weekly homemade baked goods or gifts for celebrations. This inspires the members to stay positive and helps them feel a sense of belonging.
Texas Woman's University
Quantity Food Service & Production Volunteer
09/2015-12/2015
As part of Texas Woman's University's Quantity Food Production and Service Lab course, I was required to volunteer in a variety of food service locations including elementary, middle, high school and university cafeterias, long-term care facilities, hospital cafeterias, and community kitchens. Each assignment required a new skill and multiple tasks to be completed. Every aspect of the food service system was learned in a hands-on manner. By the end of the semester, I was able to assist in the production of cold and hot foods, baked goods, and catering items; manage a tray line and the dish room; evaluate plate waste; and comply to school food service guidelines.
Texas Woman's University Food & Nutrition Network
Hospitality Committee Volunteer
09/2015-04/2016
I served on the Hospitality Committee of Texas Woman's University's Food and Nutrition Network of nutrition and dietetic students. This involved planning and executing food and beverage menus for on-campus meetings and off-campus events.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Taste Buds Kitchen Southlake
Director of Culinary Entertainment // Culinary Instructor
03/2015-Present
Director of Culinary Entertainment: I am responsible for the overall Culinary Entertainment Standards including developing new menus & recipes, creating engaging cooking events, and sharing detailed culinary knowledge in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. My role serves as the resident chef and research guide for culinary and nutrition trends to share with our crew and clients. Having a consistent and active presence on social media is crucial to creating loyal TBK clients.
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Culinary Instructor (Event Host): I demonstrate basic to advanced kitchen skills and cooking techniques while providing nutrition education to all ages. Additional responsibilities include developing menus that cater to clients' specific dietary needs, executing entertaining culinary events, and providing exceptional customer service. This includes managing a team of up to ten assistants and delegating their roles.
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Event Coordinator: Previously responsible for executing kids' camps, after-school cooking classes, off-site events, and event host communications. This involves training staff, delegating staff roles, menu planning, quantity food production, time management, and organization. I modify previous camps and classes to update with current trends and client preferences. co-coordinated and implemented the first Urban Foodies summer camp, a field-trip style cooking camp for teens.
Plus One an Optum Company
Registered Dietitian/Exercise Specialist
05/2013-11/2018
My responsibilities include conducting fitness assessments and consultations for clients; providing stress management and physical wellness education through formal presentations and classroom energy breaks; completing special projects, such as writing company-wide newsletters, creating and facilitating team building events, creating and recording wellness videos, and managing on-site fitness clubs; and instructing group fitness classes and conducting personal training sessions daily.
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Other positions held simultaneously with this role include Staff Training & Safety Coordinator, Intern Coordinator, Director of Personal Training, and Interim Director of Group Exercise.
Brownwood Regional Medical Center
Intern to Registered Dietitian
Spring 2012 & Spring 2013
I assisted the clinical dietitian in patient assessments for individual nutritional needs, charting patient data and delivering patient nutrition education. I also helped with special projects, such as designing a patient nutritional questionnaire for National Nutrition Month to assist in self-evaluation and internal research purposes. I facilitated community nutrition education classes on topics such as diabetes, heart health, and cancer recovery. I created learning materials and performed bio-electrical impedance analysis for the Brownwood Regional Medical Center booth at the community health fair in 2012 and 2013. I also joined my supervisor at the Texas Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Conference in 2013.
My Fit Foods
Front of House
05/2012-08/2012
Front of House responsibilities included evaluating customers' nutritional needs, determining healthy lifestyle goals, and making recommendations on appropriate meal packages and eating habits within my scope of practice. Providing exceptional customer service was vital to creating loyal customers and successful goals.
AFFILIATIONS
Since 11/2018
Position: Community & Nutrition Management Chair
The Maryland Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (MAND) is a dedicated group of about 1,200 nutrition professionals. Our mission is to empower members to be Maryland’s food and nutrition leaders.
Food and Culinary Professionals DPG
Since 01/2017
Food and Culinary Professionals is a Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics whose members are committed to developing food expertise throughout the profession of dietetics.
Since 09/2014
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is committed to improving the nation's health and advancing the profession through research, education and advocacy.
Nutrition Entrepeneurs DPG
04/2018 - 05/2019
Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics dedicated to entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs.
Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine DPG
09/2017-06/2018
Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine is a specialty practice group of nutrition practitioners whose core philosophy centers around a holistic, personalized approach to health and healing.
CERTIFICATIONS
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Commission on Dietetic Registration
Since 06/21/2018
Licensed Dietitian
Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulation
Since 08/15/2018
Health Coach
American Council of Exercise
Since 11/12/2014
Personal Trainer
American Council of Exercise
Since 03/20/2013
Group Fitness Instructor
American Council of Exercise
Since 02/18/2012
CPR/AED/First Aid
American Red Cross
Since 08/29/2011