Food Service Customer

Vernon S. Barker

*** ***** ****** **. ****, MS **619 / Cell - 901-***-**** /Home - 662-***-**** / **********@*****.***

Summary of Qualifications

Over 21 years of experience in commercial foodservice and manufacturing equipment, increasing territory sales.

Extensive travel experience throughout Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, and formed strong alliances with foodservice equipment dealers and end users, fostering long-term partnerships and driving mutual growth through tailored solutions and exceptional customer service.

Accomplished food service industry professional with more than 35 years experience in planning, implementing, business development, and operations management.

Skilled at designing and implementing policies and procedures aimed at cost efficiency and quality assurance.

Successful budget development and implementation to assure conformance with fiscal objectives.

Creative problem solver with strong organizational skills.

Excellent intrapersonal skills, ability to establish rapport, inspire confidence and motivate to build strong teams.

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Experienced in managing a variety of functions including supervision and training from 3-300 employees.

Accomplishments

Successfully directed a business turn around, making previously losing operations profitable.

Increased gross profit by 7% in a $2 million catering organization.

Improved Health Department rating from 70’s to high 90’s.

Redesigned concepts for existing restaurants and developed new menus.

Worked with manufacturers and brokers to reduce costs of goods and maintained adequate inventory levels.

Reduced food cost from 55% to 34%.

Monitored manufacturer and purveyor quality checks.

Directed and controlled all operations of corporate test kitchen.

Supervised and executed weekly food shows and presentations as well as still photo and TV promotions.

Traveled throughout U.S., Mexico, and Canada promoting franchise support, and development of proprietary products.

Wrote employee training manuals and recipe standardization and trained foodservice employees.

Managed 6 food service outlets concurrently.

Planned, prepared, and executed all special functions.

Career Highlights

2003- JAN 2025 - B & G DISTRIBUTING INC., MANUFACTURES REPRESENTATIVE/ CORPORATE CHEF

Represent 22 lines of commercial Restaurant Equipment, Building sales from 500K to 1.5 million from previous sales in MS & LA. Building business working with dealers as well as consulting and kitchen design.

1999-2002 – MWR (MORALE, WELFARE, AND RECREATION), NSA MID-SOUTH, EXECUTIVE CHEF

Hired to bring MWR’s foodservice out of decline.

1995-1999 – MEMPHIS HUNT & POLO CLUB, EXECUTIVE CHEF

Recruited to achieve higher food quality and service standards.

1995-1995 – HORSESHOE HOTEL AND CASINO, EXECUTIVE CHEF

Hired during start up phases of this multi-million dollar food and beverage operation.

1991-1994 – PERKINS FAMILY RESTAURANTS, CORP., RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER/ CORPORATE EXECUTIVE CHEF

Recruited to enhance Perkins Restaurants total food quality by improving consistency and menu diversity.

1986-1991 – OMNI MEMPHIS HOTEL/ HYATT REGENCY HOTEL, EXECUTIVE SOUS CHEF/ FOOD PURCHASER (1988-1991, OMNI HOTEL) BANQUET CHEF (1986-1988, HYATT REGENCY HOTEL)

Responsible for all food purchases and food operations.

1984-1986 – MEADOWBROOK COUTRY CLUB, WORKING CHEF

Responsible for all foodservice operations.

1981-1983 – HOLIDAY INN RIVERMONT, BANQUET CHEF

Responsible for all catering and banquet functions.

EDUCATION

Chef’s Apprentice Program, Holiday Inn Rivermont, 1981, 1982, 1983

State Technical Institute, Memphis, TN, 1991

Certificate of completion “Managing Multiple Projects, Objectives and Deadlines”

Department of Navy “Simple Choice Quality Training”

Certificate of Completion “Star Service Program”

Certificate “The Conference on Leadership Development & Teambuilding”

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

N.I.C.A. (National Ice Carving Association) Member since 1995

President of N.I.C.A. five years

Chairman of the Board 15 years

Certified Ice Carver

National Restaurant Association

National Food Service Panel, Inc.

National Family Opinion, Inc.

American Culinary Federation

S.O.S. (Share Our Strength), Steering Committee

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