 |
About Us
Our Mission: To deliver an online experience which is second to none in creating a tool which will be utilized by every chef, cook and apprentice. Forming an online community and resource interface which serves the primary needs of those in food service and as well people who love food and cooking. Turning the culinary world digital in an intuitive and user friendly way. We are dedicated to the proliferation of information and tools which will make the lives of those who cook easier. The Chefs
 |
Lisa Brefere, CEC, AAC |
|
| Founder & CEO |
| Has traveled extensively while studying and cooking abroad and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. During Lisa’s 30-year tenure she has held many positions in hotels, private clubs and restaurants including Pastry Chef, Restaurant Chef and Executive Chef. Currently she is a member of the Alumni Board and Education Committee at the CIA. Lisa is an avid competitor, competing in over 25 competitions in the US and internationally. She was the Northeast recipient of the L.J. Minors Professionalism Award and the A.C.F. Presidential Medallion for outstanding dedication to the culinary profession. Lisa has acted as a public commentator and speaker for many culinary events at trade shows and such retail venues as Barnes & Noble, Williams Sonoma and Macy’s. Ms Brefere is also an accomplished author of the textbook “Nutrition for the Foodservice Professional”, now in it’s seventh revision, published by John Wiley. Lisa is also pivotally involved in the Culinary Institute of America’s Alumni Board which consists of industry leaders from around the country. |
|
 |
Brad Barnes, CMC, CCA, AAC |
|
| Founder & President |
| Has traveled the US and Europe extensively molding his Culinary career for some 30 years. He spent the first 25 years of his career in professional restaurant, hotel, catering & country club kitchens. Chef Barnes is well versed in a variety of cuisines and is one of America’s 63 Certified Master Chefs. Serving as the National Certification Chairperson for the American Culinary Federation, Mr. Barnes has been a pivotal leader in revising culinary certification standards and the rewriting of the prestigious Certified Master Chef Exam, administered annually at the Culinary Institute of America, his alma mater. Brad frequently lectures on many culinary subjects to his peers as well as the public and is a well-known Certified International Culinary Judge, appointed as per the auspices of the World Association of Cooks Societies. He also has remained as an advisor for the US Culinary Team since 1999 and will do so until 2008. |
|
 |
Edward G. Leonard, CMC |
|
| Senior Vice President, Culinary Solutions |
| No one is better suited than Edward G. Leonard to oversee GigaChef Culinary Solutions, the consulting arm of GigaChef, LLC. Certified as a Master Chef by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and the World Association of Chefs Societies, he served as the ACF’s immediate past president and the vice president of the World Association of Chef’s Societies. Chef Leonard’s consulting experience includes developing the first five-year business plan for the ACF, while also acting as a motivational keynote speaker, giving lectures and demonstrations. Other consulting clients have included Tyson, Sodexho, American Lamb Board, Unilever, Crate & Barrel, the Veal and Beef Council, Kraft, Unilever and French’s Food Service. Services have included recipe development, brochures, seminars and training for sales people. He has also been honored to serve as commencement speaker and guest chef at leading culinary schools such as Johnson and Wales and the Culinary Institute of America. |
|
 |
Frank J. Brefere III |
|
| Vice President, Technology |
| A senior consultant for 10 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, International Assignment Solutions - Technology group, specializing in web-based application development. Frank is credited with building over 40 active web sites for Fortune 100 clients with many different navigation, security and design features. Frank is an IBM Certified Associate Developer. |
 |
 |
Leslie Peterson |
|
| Financial Operations Consultant |
| F&B Rescue founder and CEO Leslie Peterson has been working as an executive financial manager for food service companies for over 25 years specializing in Multi –Unit operations with revenues ranging from 20- 65 million annual sales. Ms. Peterson has opened F&B Rescue specifically to address the accounting and financial needs of all areas of the hospitality industry. |
|
 |
Gita Sweeney |
|
| Gita Group - Public Relations |
| Gita Group, a full-service marketing company, specializes in culinary, hospitality and lifestyle brands. While structured as an independent public relations firm, Gita Group offers clients the specialized service expected of an in-house relationship. The strategies attributed to and executed for each individual client are drawn from the framework, personality and long-term objectives of each particular brand, through attention to detail and a devoted, undistracted approach. Gita Group utilizes its excellent media and social contacts, public relations and marketing experience, dedication, integrity, creativity and hands-on services to provide clients with a unique experience and deliver quality results. |
|
 |
Jason Ezratty |
|
| Managing Partner, Demand Generation, LLC |
| Jason's background spans deep experiences in business strategy, marketing, product management, process re-engineering, science, and technology. Jason’s unique, interdisciplinary perspective adds sophistication and measurability to marketing strategies. Prior to co-founding Demand Generation, Jason was Director of Marketing & Product Management for a fast-growing, Services eProcurement leader. His product design and development accomplishments include proprietary scientific and medical devices, streaming media Internet entertainment portals, and enterprise-class eProcurement systems transacting billions of dollars per year. He was recently awarded a patent in February 2008 for developing hardware and software that interprets the behavior of clams and/or mussels for the detection of waterborne toxicants. Jason is a Six Sigma Black Belt and delivers product strategy consulting to large and small companies – emphasizing solid business fundamentals as universal priority for organizations of all sizes. |
|
 |
Cameron Mitchell |
|
| President and Founder, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants |
| Cameron Mitchell is president and founder of Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. A lifelong entrepreneur, Mitchell is an accomplished businessman, culinary expert and nationally recognized restaurateur. His prominence in the industry increased exponentially in early 2008, when he guided the sale of two of his most popular concepts – Mitchell’s Fish Market and Mitchell’s/Cameron’s Steakhouse – to Ruth’s Chris for $92 million. Mitchell is committed both to his profession and to the community he calls home. He serves as vice-chairman of the Board of Trustees of the CIA, and actively recruits and mentors current and prospective students. Today, he is the school’s largest alumni donor, establishing a $250,000 scholarship fund. Among his service to numerous local boards and committees in Columbus, Ohio, where he lives with his family, is his exceptional dedication to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation, where he serves on the board. Mitchell and his wife Molly founded Sera Bella, the Foundation’s premier fundraising event, nearly a decade ago. To date, proceeds from the event have surpassed $2.5 million. |
|
|  |