Applications Manager/Chef

• Mar 2010 - Present

Applications Manager/ Chef

• 2010 - Mar 2010

 Create and maintain and updated culinary applications that apply to markets of interest to VJI such as: enhancers (salad dressings, marinades, sandwich spreads); low acid sauces and foods (hot pack, canned, soups); meats; dairy; beverages, processed flavors (food bases, wet spice blends). Work collaboratively with R&D to create efficiency and viability in developing new formulations within VJI production capabilities.  Create product concepts prototypes upon request from the sales field. Train sales staff on culinary trends and use of VJI Ingredients to promote products. Collaborative work with key VJI customers or other strategically chosen ingredient suppliers. Visit select customers, develop collaborative relationships and become a culinary resource for strategic VJI customers promoting healthy initiatives by adding vegetables to a variety of products. As VJI’s Corporate R&D Chef become the culinary face to the world. This is achieved through sample recipe production, product development with customers, culinary presentations, and interactions at trade shows. Show less

Director of Product Develpment

• Feb 2007 - Jan 2010

Through the school of Entrepreneurship manage COMTEK Syracuse Commmunity Test Kitchen helping new food entrepreneurs commercialize food products. Product formulation, co packer search, packaging and distribution. Through the school of Entrepreneurship manage COMTEK Syracuse Commmunity Test Kitchen helping new food entrepreneurs commercialize food products. Product formulation, co packer search, packaging and distribution.

Team Leader Prepared Foods

• Jan 2005 - Jun 2006

 Manage and supervise the Prepared Foods Team also responsible for hiring and development. Communicate goals and vision of Whole Foods Market. Manage inventory and ordering process to achieve profit margins. Develop and maintain creative merchandising in support of regional and national visions. Establish collaborative and productive working relationships with Store Team Leader,Regional Team and inter-department store teams  Manage and supervise the Prepared Foods Team also responsible for hiring and development. Communicate goals and vision of Whole Foods Market. Manage inventory and ordering process to achieve profit margins. Develop and maintain creative merchandising in support of regional and national visions. Establish collaborative and productive working relationships with Store Team Leader,Regional Team and inter-department store teams

Corporate Executive Chef for the Center of Culinary Execellence

• Mar 2003 - Oct 2004

Develop scratch and commercial bench prototypes for several divisions such as Butterball, Louis Kempt, La Choy, LambWeston, Healthy Choice, and Spice Tec. * Deliver consumer driven concepts around strategic platforms/brands * Provide consultation with “customers” in areas of flavor applications in new products. * Coordinate educational programming focusing on food trends and new products. . * Oversee the representation and presentation of foods for retail and foodservice trade shows. Show less

Manager/Executive Chef Creative Culinary Applications

• Jan 1997 - Jul 2001

Managed Product Development Chef and Food Technologist in new concepts product development for Foodservice chain accounts. * Organized and execute culinary capabilities presentations using new flavors in food applications to demonstrate new products or product improvement Managed Product Development Chef and Food Technologist in new concepts product development for Foodservice chain accounts. * Organized and execute culinary capabilities presentations using new flavors in food applications to demonstrate new products or product improvement