Jeffrey Bigda
Charleston,SC
Summary
Corporate Regional Executive Chef with over 25 yrs experience in the industry. Driven to manage costs and establish strategic, mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships with users, vendors and service providers. Currently responsible for ten assets across the country, supervising Executive Chefs and over $10 million in procurements a year. Possess both fine dining and high volume structured environment experience with numerous accolades.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Executive Chef
Addlestone Hebrew Academy
Charleston, South Carolina
07.2023 - Current
- Led culinary team in menu development and food presentation.
- Managed kitchen operations to ensure efficient workflow and high standards.
- Trained and mentored staff on food preparation and safety protocols.
- Collaborated with suppliers to source high-quality ingredients for meals.
- Implemented seasonal menus reflecting local produce and dining preferences.
- Oversaw inventory management to minimize waste and optimize resources.
Executive Chef
Bishop Gadsden
Charleston, SC
07.2016 - 07.2023
- Oversee the "Best in Class" healthcare dining program within Bishop Gadsden.
- Coordinated and executed menu planning, recipe development and daily restaurant operations.
- Communicate with residents and families all of the nutritional needs, likes, dislikes, and suggestions to build the best possible program.
- Responsible for all procurements within the program under specific budget parameters
- Recruiting, hiring, and training of all kitchen personnel.
- Operate withing HACCP guidelines specific to state medicare licensing and the highest possible state survey standards
Regional Executive Chef/Director
Holiday Retirement Corp
Lake Oswego, OR
05.2008 - 04.2016
Responsible for dining and hospitality programs around the country with as many as fifteen assets at any given time.- Responsible for recruiting, interviewing, training and development of Executive Chefs within the portfolio
- Respond to resident concerns and resolve issues pertaining to the dining programs throughout the region
- Conduct routine inspections to ensure food programs and sanitation meet or exceed company standards
- Work with Chefs in all aspects of production, menu planning, special events and service techniques to ensure our residents consistently receive "best in class" service
Executive Chef/Owner
Central Grill
Summerville, SC
05.2004 - 04.2008
- Upscale "Southern Fusion" cuisine in an up and coming area.
- Supervise all aspects of the restaurant to include menus, wine dinners, staffing and procurement
- Created new menu items, managed food expenses and supervised quality to ensure adherence to standards.
- Created recipes, incorporating various techniques, to build flavor and unique visual appeal.
- Monitored quality, presentation and quantities of plated food across line.
- Local store marketing and revenue growing concepts
Staff Sergeant - Food Service
United States Marine Corp
Summerville
06.1993 - 04.2003
- Responsible for the providing well balanced and nutritional meals to Marines around the world in both a garrison and combat environment
- Responsible for the training and well being of Marines under my charge in a Marine Corps food service environment.
- Responsible for menu planning and procurements to ensure a successful food operation
- Enforced staff performance and service standards to deliver consistent and positive customer experiences.
- Maintained order and cleanliness of work areas to conform with health codes.
Education
Certified - Culinary Arts
Marine Corps Food Service School
1994
High School Diploma - Culinary Arts
C.C.H.S.
1993
Skills
- Project management
- Leadership/communication skills
- Product development
- Business operations organization
- New product delivery
- Client account management
- Human resources
- Budgeting expertise
- Employee relations
Accomplishments
Named "Regional Chef of the Year" over 27 peers in 2014
Certification
ServSafe Certified - Exp 11/20
References
Professional
Joseph Hagman - District Chef HRC
503-991-6223
Timeline
Executive Chef
Addlestone Hebrew Academy
07.2023 - Current
Executive Chef
Bishop Gadsden
07.2016 - 07.2023
Regional Executive Chef/Director
Holiday Retirement Corp
05.2008 - 04.2016
Executive Chef/Owner
Central Grill
05.2004 - 04.2008
Staff Sergeant - Food Service
United States Marine Corp
06.1993 - 04.2003
Certified - Culinary Arts
Marine Corps Food Service School
High School Diploma - Culinary Arts
C.C.H.S.
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