Chef in Pleasant Hill, California

My name is Matt and I am offering my services as a live-in or out Private Chef. I am hoping to transition into the home to continue my culinary career in a more autonomous fashion. I am California Food Handler ServSafe certified. Below I have attached my full resume so you might understand who I am as a person beyond who I am as a chef. As you will find, I believe in the holistic healing and wellness properties of food. Hippocrates (from whom doctors recite their Hippocratic oath) says, "Let food be thine medicine." So with that said, my style of cooking is first inspired by healthy and wholesome techniques and ingredients. I also believe in responsible food sourcing and service, which means sustainability and shopping at local farmers markets. My food is second inspired by my Italian heritage, but is certainly not limited to Italian cuisine. I offer an eclectic menu that features fun and elegant ingredients which span many cultures, such as those in the southeast of Asia, the southwestern United States, Mexico, the Middle East, Italy, and a heavy influence from the home style cooking of my grandmother and my own father. Who doesn't love a home cooked meal? I'm hoping to be a fun addition to a fun family. Willing to pass a background check and drug tests as well. If I sound like the sort of chef your busy or large family needs please do not hesitate to contact me. Ask for Matt. Again, I have listed below some culinary accolades as well as my resume. Looking forward to hearing from you!!! - Winner of 2 consecutive campus Iron Chef competitions against the president of Alma Mater University - Experienced in high-volume catering gained from employment - Proven during time abroad as banquet organizer, chef, and host for nearly 100 guests both European and American for an international Thanksgiving celebration MATTHEW S. BOFFA linkedin...../in/mattboffa SUMMARY Analytic thinker and energetic doer with diverse professional experience and the ability to learn and impact any organization quickly. Graduated in May of 2016 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a concentration in Food & Sustainability. Project management experience coordinating SWOT analyses and developing market strategies for Italian wineries. Knowledgable in agricultural and environmental policy from studies at biodynamic farms while abroad. Leadership skills in training and building competency among peers gained as a student-tutor in collegiate writing lab and in individual courses. High level of competency in critical thinking, problem solving, and writing. Innovator, initiator, motivator. EDUCATION MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY, Dallas, PA August 2012 -- May 2016 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy​​​ Cumulative GPA: 3.2/4.0​​​​​​ GPA in Major: 3.8/4.0 Activities and Societies: Phi Sigma Tau Honors Society, Dean's List, Football, Campus Ministry, Search 16, CRU, Bible Study, Theatre Performance, Cougar Radio, Philosophy Club, Cougars 4 Change, World Travelers Club, Iron Chef, Study Abroad, Student Employment • Co-founder of the bi-annual Food For Thought Forum • Co-founder of Diotima's Roundtable radio program • Independent research presentations at Sarah Gill Colloquia Series concerning love, relations, and sexual ethic • Organized a presentation for campus community about solutions to food waste and resource management • First student to study abroad for a semester • Organized and prepared a three-course dinner for club executives • Student-champion of campus Iron Chef competition two years straight ​ THE UMBRA INSTITUTE, Perugia, Italy August 2015 -- December 2015 Major: Food & Sustainability Studies ​​​​​ Minor: Business of Wine Activities and Societies: Food Studies Program, Italian, Rugby, Soccer Club, Tandem • Gained knowledge on the history of agriculture and legislation surrounding organic produce, farming methods involving fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs • Became familiar with the Slow Food movement and focused on impacting Environmental Policy in the United States • Researched agricultural methods at biodynamic farms, urban gardens, Agriturismi • Managed a project for Roccafiore, a local winery • Conducted SWOT analyses and devised marketing strategies to improve sales and increase market shares for the flagship wine Prova D'Autore PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE RUFFALO NOEL LEVITZ January 2016 -- March 2016 Telephone Solicitation Operator, Dallas, PA Procured donations from alumni and parents of current students operating University telephones Demonstrated the ability to think dynamically and quickly build meaningful relationships Developed interpersonal skills to establish rapport with prospective donors during cold-canvassing Knowledgeable about school history, current programs, athletic and academic events, policies, and demographics to accurately convey the image and message of the school ANTICA TRATTORIA di SAN LORENZO October 2015 -- December 2015 Sous Chef, Perugia, Italy Personally invited by head chef to intern at Antica Trattoria di San Lorenzo which is listed in the Michelin Guidebook Learned how to properly budget as well as organize and stock pantry and refrigerators Functioned entirely in Italian for the duration of employment Acquired new knife skills and cooking techniques; Developed a strong focus on presentation skills COUGAR RADIO​​​​​​​​​​ March 2013 -- March 2015 Radio Personality, Dallas, PA Weekly installments as radio personality on Diotima's Roundtable at Misericordia University Facilitated academic discussion in a fashion coherent to a large, common audience Cultivated critical thinking skills and ability to navigate rhetoric and logic Demonstrated problem solving abilities and exercised clarity of thought MISERICORDIA UNIVERSITY​​​​​​​​​March 2013 -- January 2015 Peer Writing Tutor, Dallas, PA Skilled in teaching and competency building among peers Advanced proficiency in syntax and semantics First freshman ever hired; Also tutored individual courses PERONA FARMS ​​​​​​​​​​ June 2011 -- August 2012 Kitchen Hand, Andover, NJ ​​​​​​​​​ Obtained position by winning an Iron Chef competition Developed interpersonal skills serving guests at weddings and banquets as a line chef preparing small, seasonal dishes Maintained stock room and refrigerator inventory; Prepped vegetables and proteins in the kitchen; Responsible during brunch hours for carving fish and meats and manning various other stations SPARTA GIRLS SPORTS April 2008 -- June 2013 Umpire, Sparta, NJ Managed games and all situations arising before, during, and after Cultivated conflict resolution skills; Oversaw player safety and maintained order between coaches and teams Memorized rule booklet and conduct policies for umpires, players, coaching staves, and parents/spectators • Elected to post-season officiating each season and chosen for Championship officiating twice • Recognized as most valuable member of umpire crew by league officials • Selected to represent the Sparta league in travel tournament(s) VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE & CAUSES HUMANITARIAN RELIEF MISSIONS June 2015 Clean Water Aid, Port-au-Prince, Cite Soleil, surrounding villages, Haiti Provided renewable resources to locals which enabled them the ability to sterilize their water supplies Responsible for constructing filters and buckets on site, and demonstrating how to assemble, disassemble, and clean each apparatus Operated independently in pairs with a translator OUR LADY OF THE LAKE PARISH September 2010 -- June 2014 Youth Leader, Sparta, NJ Skilled in planning and team-building Guided the spiritual growth of high school-aged teens on ~10 retreats as a member of youth ministry team Volunteer work extended to other church functions such as the annual carnival, bake sales, church productions, clothing and food drives, etc