Tess Connors ad1m8k@r.postjobfree.com

845-***-****

Chef & Program Manager, The Lunch Box at Dutchess Outreach June 2022- present

Lead kitchen department to 30% increase in efficiency & production, up to 800 hot meals per day, 10% under CACFP guidelines. Manage staff of 5-12 per shift including volunteers of all ages & abilities. Responsible for all equipment, maintenance, dining room management and inventory. Focus on local food ecosystem and dietary accommodations for guests. Manage program budget of $100k+/year with positive vendor relations and on time reporting to funders. Production Baker, Adams Fairacre Farms Nov 2020-May 2022 Department team member tasked with 200+ SKU production items in adherence to company recipes. Promoted from counter service within three months. Responsible for all equipment,safety, sanitation, and customer service in a fast paced retail environment. Farm Manager, Laird Farms Nov 2019 - Oct 2020

Human resource and project management on an 180 acre diversified organic farm. Built on-site production kitchen & processing area for improved crop storage and value added products. Managed regulation & compliance across local, state & federal jurisdictions for brokerage of poultry, meat, eggs & whole unprocessed produce. Coordinated direct-to-consumer, wholesale sales, charitable donations. Updated web, social media & online retail products to increase customer engagement & sales. Chef Facilitator, Recipe for Success various 2019

Nationwide team building service based on creative food play. Traveled to preferred venues to host hands-on programs up to 300 ppl. Responsible for event management, classroom management, day-of logistics and reporting.

Culinary Director, “Breaking Bread: Breaking Barriers” 2017, 2019 https://myphillypark.org/breaking-bread-philly-parks/ A multi-event dinner series collaboration among The John S. & James L. Knight Foundation, Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, Penn Project for Civic Engagement, The Fairmount Park Conservancy, and the people of Philadelphia. Responsible for menu & recipe development in collaboration with diverse multicultural stakeholder group. Day-of execution of 24 individual events focused on activating public space and honoring our neighbors.

Community Chef Educator, Vetri Community Partnership Aug 2018- June 2019

“Eat.Educate.Empower” with Vetri Cooking Lab, a 10-week progressive program for students 5-18 and their Mobile Teaching Kitchen, a roving pop-up kitchen classroom for all ages. Responsible for execution of all in-house curricula, event and/or classroom management, logistics & reporting. Chef Instructor, The Baltimore Chef Shop Nov 2017- June 2019 Teach basic to advanced culinary and pastry skills through more than 70 menu and technique based lessons. Facilitate hands-on participation for students age 6-adult, groups up to 20 ppl. Contributed to recipe & class development.

Tess Connors ad1m8k@r.postjobfree.com 845-***-**** Education

Tulane University School of Social Work

Master of Science 2014

Disaster Resilience Leadership Sciences

City University of New York, Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies Bachelor of Science 2012

Food Service Administration for Emergency Services Professional Service

ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification valid through Jan 2028 National Restaurant Association

American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting May 2019 Demonstration Chef for Live Well Experiential Learning Area, “Recipes for The Migraine Diet” American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Expo May 2018 Demonstration Chef “Fast & Healthy Recipes for Experts on-the-go” Philabundance Community Kitchen Summer 2017

Volunteer & guest chef for 14-week vocational training program at Philadelphia’s largest food bank Louisiana Flood Outreach- New Orleans Cooks April 2016 Food safety and production lead for direct aid flood relief Louisiana Seafood Cook-off May 2016

Competitor for Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, member American Seafood Coast Guard

Randolph Sheppard Master Chef Competition Sept 2015 Guest Judge for Affiliated Blind of Louisiana promotional event Research Chefs of America Annual Conference & Culinolgy Expo March 2015 Guest speaker, “Exploring Creole & Cajun foodways for modern gluten-free diets” Nutrition Educator *intern, City Harvest summer 2014 Adult education with National “Cooking Matters” and “Shopping Matters” curriculum