JOSEPH BAKER
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Hospitality and event management professional with 20 years of experience building workplace foodservice programs, leading teams, and creating engaging employee and client experiences. Skilled in setting up operations, managing events and office transitions, and working with stakeholders to improve service quality, efficiency, and consistency across locations.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager
Shopify, Restaurant Associates
New York, NY
01.2025 - Current
- Led NYC office relocation from SoHo to Chelsea, expanding event capabilities and improving daily operations for a high-growth environment
- Built an 8-person hospitality team, creating SOPs and service standards to ensure smooth office operations
- Partner with North American offices to share best practices and design cohesive, globally aligned workplace programs
- Advise stakeholders on culinary and service equipment, improving efficiency and improving the product served
- Plan and execute workplace events, including external partner events as well as internal events to create buzz and engagement
- Monitor participation trends, refine budgets, and align resources to meet growing demand and maximize employee satisfaction
- Oversee mailroom, conference room maintenance and upkeep, printing services, and office supply and office amenity inventory
General Manager
Jane Street, Restaurant Associates
New York, NY
12.2019 - 12.2024
- R/A's 2022 Managed Services Account of the Year
- Lead 10 Managers and 45 hourly associates, managing a $27M free-feeding program for 1,300+ employees
- Converted dining program from offsite commissary to onsite production with a full culinary and service team
- Opened a cafe, juice bar, and 20+ pantries offering over 200 snack and beverage SKUS
- Established dozens of restaurant partnerships for a daily rotating Pop Up station in the cafe
- Started a conference dining program, writing a catering menu, selecting smallwares for V&S, and standardizing client-specific set ups
- Conceived and launched Wellness Program with two on-site registered dieticians, offering 1:1 nutritional sessions, group classes, and allergen reporting
- Launched a partnership with a food recovery operation to redirect leftover meals to NYC's neediest
Foodservice Director
Fried Frank LLP, Restaurant Associates
New York, NY
11.2013 - 12.2019
- Developed and managed annual operating budgets for client's NYC and D.C offices, approximately $1.5 million in revenue
- Boosted company efficiency through technology upgrades and process improvements such as self-checkout and online customer feedback portals
- Oversaw cafe refresh and launched new culinary programs
Education
Culinary Arts Program - Culinary Arts
Institute of Culinary Education
New York, NY2007
Bachelor of Science - Hotel Administration
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY2003
Skills
- Account openings and relocations
- Strategic hiring, development and training
- Event planning and managment
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Food and beverage knowledge
- NYC DOH ordinance compliance
Affiliations
Cornell Hotel Society
Certification
Food Handler's Certification, NYC DOH
ServeSafe Managers' Foodservice Certification
Timeline
General Manager
Shopify, Restaurant Associates
01.2025 - Current
General Manager
Jane Street, Restaurant Associates
12.2019 - 12.2024
Foodservice Director
Fried Frank LLP, Restaurant Associates
11.2013 - 12.2019
Culinary Arts Program - Culinary Arts
Institute of Culinary Education
Bachelor of Science - Hotel Administration
Cornell University