AFAndrew Ferkiss
@american_in_coimbra
I am a multiskilled delivery driver, certified gemologist, and chef.
PortugalWhat I'm looking for
I am a multitalented hospitality and service professional with hands‑on experience as a delivery driver, chef, and live‑event manager across the US, UK, and Portugal.
I have a record of dependable service — including all 5‑star Lyft reviews — and culinary experience ranging from preparing multi‑course vegan and vegetarian meals to serving up to 5,000 meals per week in a commercial dining hall. I am also a certified gemologist through the International Gem Society and have begun faceting and carving gemstones.
My practical background includes property and pet sitting, transporting fine art prints and assisting photographers, managing logistics and merch at live music tours, farm‑to‑plate cooking, and volunteer work on sustainability projects. I combine technical hands‑on skills with customer service and event logistics.
I value sustainability, creativity, and time outdoors, and I seek opportunities that allow me to cook with local produce, work with gemstones, support small teams, and travel when appropriate. I bring curiosity, reliability, and a calm, service‑oriented approach to every role.
Experience
Work history, roles, and key accomplishments
LYLyft Driver
Lyft
Dec 2023 - Sep 2024 (9 months)
Provided rideshare transportation in Fort Collins with consistently high ratings and maintained strong customer service standards.
Photographer's Assistant
Self-Employed
May 2024 - Jun 2024 (1 month)
Assisted photographer with exhibition setup and transported fine art prints during the E17 Art Trail and London gallery shows.
Live-in Pet Sitter
Self-Employed
Feb 2023 - Jun 2024 (1 year 4 months)
Provided live-in pet care for cats, dogs, and fish while owners were away and managed houses and gardens for multiple clients.
DODoordash Food Delivery Driver
DoorDash
Mar 2022 - Sep 2023 (1 year 6 months)
Delivered hot food, groceries, flowers, and prescription medications in Fort Collins while maintaining timely, reliable service.
Live-Music Tour Manager
Self-Employed
Jul 2022 - Aug 2022 (1 month)
Managed logistics, sold merchandise, and handled sound system setup and takedown for a multi-venue live-music tour in Arizona.
Vegan Chef
Self-Employed
Jul 2021 - Mar 2022 (8 months)
Prepared multi-course vegan meals for private clients using Ayurvedic cooking principles and whole-foods ingredients tailored to restrictive diets.
Server / Busser / Host
Steamworks Brewing Company
Oct 2015 - Apr 2016 (6 months)
Performed front-of-house roles delivering customer service, table management, and support in a busy brewery environment.
Bookstore Cashier
Fort Lewis College Bookstore
Aug 2015 - Sep 2015 (1 month)
Operated a digital POS, managed inventory, and provided customer service at the campus bookstore during the academic term.
Kitchen Staff
Big Al's Burgers & Dogs
Nov 2013 - Jan 2014 (2 months)
Performed cooking, cleaning, dishwashing, and customer service tasks in a fast-food kitchen environment.
Vegetarian Chef
Quinta Das Relvas
Sep 2023 - Present (1 year 11 months)
Planned, prepared, and served farm-to-plate vegetarian meals for a group of 30, sourcing produce from the on-site garden.
CUKitchen Team Member
Colorado State University
Supported high-volume commercial dining operations at the mountain campus, serving up to 5,000 meals per week across peak service periods.
Education
Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework
ISInternational Gem Society
Certificate in Gemology, Gemology
2023 - 2024
Completed gemology training covering gemstone identification, evaluation, and appraisal, and earned certification.
ULUniversity of Lisbon
Study Abroad / Non-degree Coursework, Portuguese Language and Culture
2021 - 2022
Studied Portuguese language, culture, and history at the University of Lisbon during 2021–2022.
Personal Studies — Ancient Egyptian Culture
Independent Study, Ancient Egyptian Culture
2016 - 2019
Conducted independent studies on ancient Egyptian temples, pyramids, and related cultures with travel to Egypt in 2018 and 2019.
FCFort Lewis College
Undergraduate Coursework, Mountain Guiding and Chemistry
2014 - 2016
Undertook undergraduate coursework in mountain guiding and chemistry, including skiing, rock climbing, and backpacking.
Rocky Mountain High School
High School Diploma, General Studies
2011 - 2013
Grade: GPA 3.8
Completed Rocky Mountain High School program in Fort Collins, finishing a four-year curriculum in three years with a 3.8 GPA.
Tech stack
Software and tools used professionally
Availability
Location
PortugalAuthorized to work in
Job categories
Skills
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