Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Affiliations
Community Service
Professional Highlights
Interests
Timeline
Generic

Eric Meisel

Columbus,OH

Summary

Accomplished executive culinary professional with 20+ years of experience in new menu and flavor development, and 20+ years of food industry sales and marketing experience. Expertise in managing and supervising senior kitchen staff, developing food presentation techniques, establishing food standards, and planning menus. Recognized in the community for advancing the culinary arts professionally. Skilled in building and mentoring strong food service and catering teams that deliver profitability with exceptional service. Adept at fostering positive collaboration with culinary teams to drive culinary innovation. Lead engagement for Applebee's brand, overseeing the creation, presentation, and evaluation of over 30 menu items within 3 days. A valuable contributor to sales teams, addressing training opportunities including, but not limited to product cuttings, brand engagement, customer service solutions, and team successes.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Produce Specialist/Culinary Specialist

Gordon Foods
07.2018 - Current
  • Key contributor in achieving recognition as 2018 and 2019 Food Distributor of the Year by the American Culinary Federation, Columbus Chapter for delivering excellent products and services
  • Increased sales for produce by over 10% for 2018 and 2019 through the introduction of 'Meisel Minute', one-minute videos
  • Assisted with menu development and planning for customer concept kitchens
  • Trained and mentored new team members in new Culinary Specialist roles
  • Conducted training for hands-on experiences with sales teams
  • Developed Markon selling techniques to teach about the brand and its many attributes
  • Participated in and won the 2023 J&P Cup (Team of the Year) for The Ohio Valley Marketing Team

Corporate Executive Chef / Key Account Manager / Regional Sales Manager / Value-Added Project Manager (East)

Litehouse Foods, Inc.
07.2015 - 07.2018
  • Contributed under 4 position titles within 3 years due to performance excellence, with increasing accountability to sales, supported through skills as Corporate Executive Chef
  • Delivered key culinary contributions that included menu consultation and development with Applebee’s, Darden Restaurant Group, and A&W Canada
  • Conducted 2-day seminar titled Burger Trends for their 200+ franchises.

Regional Sales Manager / Corporate Chef

Litehouse, Incorporated
10.2013 - 07.2015
  • Contributed in a multi-faceted role involving culinary management, as well as sales, brand management, product development, relationship management, and customer training
  • Traveled nationally to work with major food service distributors, chain restaurants, and their corporate chefs/buyers to consult on menus, provide training, and participate in new product launches
  • Write programs for sales
  • Tracked trends for upcoming trends shows
  • Managed 3 brokerage firms in the Northeast, with accountability for creatively building relationships.

Regional Sales Manager, Industrial B&B

Litehouse, Incorporated
10.2012 - 08.2014
  • Consulted with produce companies on recipes, product development, and cross-marketing for positive 8% growth
  • Assisted with customer R&D departments, developing flavors for salad kits in retail and food service markets
  • Collaborated with senior executives to evaluate performance in regional areas and develop strategies to expand revenue generation for $5 Million in market shares

Dedicated Distributor Liaison Sales Representative

Michaels & Associate Brokerage
03.2011 - 10.2012
  • Managed primarily Central Ohio territory with accountability for $500,000 in account sales, including distribution
  • Serviced non-commercial, commercial, business, and industry, as well as regional chain accounts
  • Built relationships between customers, distributors, and manufacturers
  • Contributed to the structuring of go-to-market plans and market strategies
  • Developed innovative ideas and strategies for marketing and selling products
  • Conducted numerous training exercises and instructional sessions
  • Prepared and executed demonstrations for training classes, food shows, and customer events
  • Set, planned and sold products at 30+ food shows, trends shows, and regional shows.

Customer Development Specialist

Gordon Food Service
03.2004 - 02.2011
  • Marketed, sold, negotiated, and wrote programs, selling and consulting on food and non-food products in a $800,000/yr route to food service establishments in the Central/ Downtown Columbus, Ohio market
  • Generated consistent year-over-year growth
  • Won numerous honors and awards during tenure, including Person of the Year (Gold Club) nomination, New Business Award (Winner's Circle), and Brand Award
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement market research strategies. Utilizing brokers, manufacturing, and internal marketing teams

Education

Associate In Occupational Studies - Culinary Arts

Culinary Institute of America
Hyde Park
03.1994

Skills

  • Team building and collaboration through inclusion and education
  • Public speaking primarily addressing culinary and sales teams on trends and multiple subjects around menu building and increasing guest traffic
  • Menu creation and the execution of gastronomic experiences focused on flavor, trends, and strategic product placement
  • Organization and time management of projects and deadlines Focusing on a culinary mindset of "Mise En Place" - everything has a place and everything in its place

Accomplishments

    2024 Gordon Food Service Marketing Team of the Year Recipient

    2024 Guest on The Produce Industry Podcast with Dan Avakian

    2023 - Present Columbus Metro Parks Volunteer

Certification

HACCP Certified, Columbus, OH, 2019

Affiliations

  • American Culinary Federation (2008 – Present)
  • American Culinary Federation, Education Chair (2011, 2012)
  • Charity Auction, Graham School Volunteer Activity – Chef for the Night (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
  • WOSU Chef in the City Participant (2012)

Community Service

  • Worthington Kilbourne High School, Student Affairs & Safety Chair (2018 – Present)
  • Worthington Kilbourne High School, Softball Team Board of Directors (2018 – Present)
  • Boy Scouts of America, Cub Master (2012, 2013) Committee Chair (2014)

Professional Highlights

  • Produce Specialist Culinary Consultant – Ohio Valley Division – Gordon Foods – Columbus, OH
  • Corporate Executive Chef / Key Account Manager / Regional Sales Manager / Value-Added Project Manager (East) – Litehouse Foods, Inc. – Columbus, OH (Sandpoint, ID)
  • Customer Development Specialist – Gordon Food Service – Columbus, OH (Grand Rapids, MI)
  • Executive Chef – Children’s Hospital – Columbus, OH
  • Executive Chef/Production Manager – Sodexho, Inc. – Columbus / New Albany, OH

Interests

I am interested in sustainability of our environment

I participate in hikes and local organizations that promote environment awareness and conservation

Camping and hiking is a large portion of this and getting others to join in is part of the fun and excitement I get from this interest

Timeline

Produce Specialist/Culinary Specialist

Gordon Foods
07.2018 - Current

Corporate Executive Chef / Key Account Manager / Regional Sales Manager / Value-Added Project Manager (East)

Litehouse Foods, Inc.
07.2015 - 07.2018

Regional Sales Manager / Corporate Chef

Litehouse, Incorporated
10.2013 - 07.2015

Regional Sales Manager, Industrial B&B

Litehouse, Incorporated
10.2012 - 08.2014

Dedicated Distributor Liaison Sales Representative

Michaels & Associate Brokerage
03.2011 - 10.2012

Customer Development Specialist

Gordon Food Service
03.2004 - 02.2011
HACCP Certified, Columbus, OH, 2019

Associate In Occupational Studies - Culinary Arts

Culinary Institute of America

Similar Profiles

  • Cody Yonkers

    Cody YonkersCody Yonkers

    Freezer Order Selector at Gordon FoodsFreezer Order Selector at Gordon Foods

    View Profile
  • Sophie Song

    Sophie SongSophie Song

    Principal Owner /Managing Director at Gordon Education Pty Ltd (Global Art Gordon)Principal Owner /Managing Director at Gordon Education Pty Ltd (Global Art Gordon)

    View Profile
  • Justin Pelland

    Justin PellandJustin Pelland

    Steel Stud Framer at Gordon 'N' Gordon InteriorsSteel Stud Framer at Gordon 'N' Gordon Interiors

    View Profile
Eric Meisel