Experience

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  The Food Wranglers, Inc.

  • Food/Travel Writer, Food & Prop Stylist, Restaurant Consultant

    • Jan 2006 - Present

    MY SPECIALTIES:FOOD/TRAVEL WRITER: publications include three cookbooks, travel and food articles in culinary magazines and newspapersI am interested in the history of food and its cultural and social significance; my work draws on extensive travels from Outer Mongolia to Timbuktu, sampling the cuisines of the world in market places, back street restaurants, 5-star restaurants and village huts. I am particularly interested in exploring regional flavors and spices and ways in which these traditional seasonings can be used to create excitement in contemporary menus. Sample writings: Food/Travel Writing at www.foodwranglers.comFOOD and PROP STYLIST: Styling for photographers shooting images for use in magazines and cookbooks I work with photographers on food shoots: I help create the ambiance to showcase the food, assist the chef with staging the plate, and design the props to enhance and inform the setting. I feel food photography should incorporate the spirit and intention of people who produced the recipe–whether it’s a dish for an urban restaurant or traditional village feast. I do this by integrating the props and styling to evoke the ambiance of the source. My main goal is that the food appear natural and inviting: it should beckon the viewer to pick up a fork.Sample images: Gallery at www.foodwranglers.comRESTAURANT CONSULTANT: Menu design, conceptual development and restaurant individualization, assist in establish niche in competitive market; promotion and advertisingHaving created, owned and operated 5 successful restaurants, I work with owners to help them create a restaurant concept that will have a unique identity in their community yet appeal to local tastes and generate a healthy bottom line. I believe in the importance of advertising and promotion and I can offer many productive yet inexpensive solutions for getting a restaurant known in its community and beyond.Credentials: Who We Are at www.foodwranglers.com

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  Chef's Pride, Inc. The Fishwife & Turtle Bay restaurants

  • CFO, Owner

    • Jan 1985 - Jan 2006

    20 years as successful restaurateur: owner/operator five award-winning restaurants. Extensive experience in public relations, advertising, conceptual development, menu design; food photography: prop and food styling.In charge of development and writing of employee handbook and staff training manuals; development and direction of corporate/employee support programs. Responsible for corporate financial management and cost analysis. Established and managed high school scholarship program.