DENISE PORTILLO
Summary
Experienced operations executive specializing in food and beverage systems with 26 years of leadership across diverse sectors. Expertise in scaling operations, optimizing procurement, and enhancing efficiency through strategic vendor negotiations. Proven track record in managing large teams and concurrent revenue streams. Holds a Master of Arts in Psychology, focusing on organizational leadership and operational strategy.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Founder & Executive Director of Operations
Summa Holdings Inc.
01.2024 - Current
- Executive oversight of a diversified hospitality portfolio including workforce technology, culinary SaaS systems, industry infrastructure, and product distribution divisions.
- Led development of portfolio-wide systems and staffing strategies to ensure long-term scalability and operational efficiency.
- Scaled operations from concept-stage development to oversight of multi-entity portfolio, enhancing operational structure.
- Designed operational frameworks that facilitated growth across parallel business lines, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
- Direct financial structure, vendor negotiations, compliance governance, and strategic planning.
- Divisions include: EduPlate Tech, Fork'd Up, Hospitality Human Works, and Athena Chef Apparel.
Culinary & Institutional Operations Consultant
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes
05.2018 - 05.2019
- Executive contributor to the architectural and operational launch of La Cocina de Gloria Molina, named in honor of Gloria Molina.
- Developed culinary operational systems and programming infrastructure to streamline operations.
- Facilitated commercial kitchen architectural planning and operational layout design, enhancing workflow efficiency.
- Secured sponsorship partnerships and funding support, enabling successful project execution.
- Managed the permitting process and secured regulatory approvals for the project.
- Produced large-scale institutional galas and public events.
Owner / Executive Chef
Forkin' Good Café | Bella Corporate Catering | Bella Café
01.2008 - 01.2018
- Founded and operated multiple concurrent hospitality enterprises including full-service restaurant operations, corporate catering, film and television production catering, and municipal contracts.
- Built and scaled operations from startup to high-volume, multi-channel hospitality enterprise, optimizing logistics, staffing allocation, and financial oversight.
- Managed annual food and beverage operations exceeding six figures, ensuring profitability and operational efficiency.
- Led teams of up to 150 employees across locations and event operations.
- Oversaw full financial operations including payroll, budgeting, forecasting, and cost containment.
- Reduced food cost variance through strategic vendor negotiations and procurement alignment.
- Strengthened inventory controls and forecasting systems, enhancing margin stability and reducing waste.
Federal Food Service Contractor
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
03.2011 - 09.2014
- Managed federal food service contracts, ensuring adherence to regulations and enhancing service delivery.
- Delivered compliant food service operations under federal contract standards, ensuring quality and safety.
- Maintained strict compliance with federal food safety and documentation requirements.
- Coordinated procurement, logistics, and staffing to meet operational requirements efficiently.
- Ensured operational consistency within structured accountability frameworks.
Education
Master of Arts - Psychology
University of Arizona
Tempe, AZ10.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Arizona
Tempe, AZ04.2022
Diploma - Culinary Arts
Le Cordon Bleu
Pasadena, CA07.2004
Skills
- Operations leadership
- Multi-unit management
- Growth strategy
- Financial oversight
- Cost management
- Procurement & Vendor Negotiation
- Vendor management
- Contract negotiation
- Contract compliance
- Facilities permitting
- Health compliance
- Catering production
- Business development
- Customer relationship management
- Workforce leadership
- Recruitment
- Systems development
Certification
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager
- Certified ServSafe Examination Proctor
- Autism Partnership Foundation - 40-Hour RBT Training, 08/2025
- Mental Health First Aid (Youth), 07/2025, 07/2028
Media And Corporate Production Experience
- Food Network
- Bravo TV
- NBC
- KTLA
- KCAL 9
- The Talk
- Nestlé
- Goya Foods
- Cacique Cheese
- Sony BMG
Timeline
Founder & Executive Director of Operations
Summa Holdings Inc.
01.2024 - Current
Culinary & Institutional Operations Consultant
La Plaza de Cultura y Artes
05.2018 - 05.2019
Federal Food Service Contractor
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
03.2011 - 09.2014
Owner / Executive Chef
Forkin' Good Café | Bella Corporate Catering | Bella Café
01.2008 - 01.2018
Master of Arts - Psychology
University of Arizona
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Arizona
Diploma - Culinary Arts
Le Cordon Bleu