LAUREN KATZ
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Self-starting Senior Culinary Manager with 8+ years of experience spearheading culinary innovation and excellence within a fast-paced test kitchen environment. Proven track record of fostering creativity, collaboration and innovation to drive product development. Strong communicator committed to maintaining quality standards and achieving results that align with brand vision and consumer preferences.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Culinary Manager
Blue Apron
07.2016 - Current
- Responsible for dessert program research, development, testing, ingredient onboarding and customer feedback integration
- Spearhead occasion-based projects, from conception and recipe development to strategic pricing and PR efforts
- Lead R&D strategy by attending trade shows, sampling competitor products and overseeing testing days with product prioritization
- Serve as liaison between internal category managers and outside vendors for product sampling, approval and ordering
- Help facilitate celebrity chef and brand partnerships, such as Chrissy Teigen, Molly Yeh, Stonyfield Yogurt and Stella Artois
- Ideate, test and edit recipes for weekly boxes, focusing on culinary integrity, user experience and ingredient cost
- Manage menu calendar to reflect customer favorites, effective cost margins, week-over-week variance and ongoing sales campaigns
- Manage Culinary Associate and Culinary Manager
Test Kitchen Intern
Good Housekeeping Institute
04.2016 - 07.2016
- Assisted in recipe testing, development and shopping, taking detailed notes on timing, quantity and quality
- Assembled slideshows and recipe content for food section of website
- Assisted in researching recipes, food trends and food products for future print stories
- Developed strong teamwork abilities by effectively collaborating with other interns and staff members on various tasks and projects
Web Editor
Every Day With Rachael Ray Magazine
08.2013 - 04.2016
- Developed content, edited and approved layout for monthly print stories
- Developed content, edited and approved layout for monthly print stories
- Oversaw the creation of interactive web elements for five to six print stories per month
- Created, managed and reported on daily content and metrics for Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram
- Wrote daily blog posts about food trends, holidays and current events
- Produced original slideshows and repurposed stories from the print magazine to the web
- Participated in external product launches and PR events in order to assist with future print and web stories
Executive Travel Magazine Intern
American Express Publishing
06.2013 - 08.2013
- Fact checked articles for upcoming issues
- Created magazine’s social media strategy and maintained Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn pages
- Promoted upcoming marketing events by reaching out to various magazine advertisers
- Supported staff members in their daily tasks, reducing workload burden and allowing for increased focus on higher-priority assignments
Social Media Intern
Sweetgreen
10.2012 - 05.2013
- Boosted brand awareness by creating and scheduling engaging content across various social media platforms
- Wrote three posts per week for website’s blog
- Supported opening of Foggy Bottom restaurant location
- Helped promote spring music festival through various social media platforms
Education
Diploma: Pastry & Baking Arts -
Institute of Culinary Education
New York, NY06.2016
Bachelor of Arts: Journalism and Mass Communication -
The George Washington University
Washington, DC05.2013
Communications, New Media and Journalism -
CIEE Study Abroad
Seville, Spain05.2012
Skills
Recipe development
Menu planning & budgeting
Project management
Cross-functional teamwork
Metrics reporting
Content management software
Critical thinking
Team leadership
Adaptability
Verbal and written communication
Honors & Awards
- Blue Apron Values Award, “We Champion Discovery,” August 2022
Affiliations
- Kona’s Ice Cream, Founder, 2023
- Korean K9 Rescue, Foster Volunteer, 2023
- Siggi’s Culure Club, Brand Ambassador, 2014
- Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, President, 2011
Timeline
Senior Culinary Manager
Blue Apron
07.2016 - Current
Test Kitchen Intern
Good Housekeeping Institute
04.2016 - 07.2016
Web Editor
Every Day With Rachael Ray Magazine
08.2013 - 04.2016
Executive Travel Magazine Intern
American Express Publishing
06.2013 - 08.2013
Social Media Intern
Sweetgreen
10.2012 - 05.2013
Diploma: Pastry & Baking Arts -
Institute of Culinary Education
Bachelor of Arts: Journalism and Mass Communication -
The George Washington University
Communications, New Media and Journalism -
CIEE Study Abroad
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