Multi-Unit Hospitality Leader and Chef Executive

Jacob Nelson

Multi-Unit Operations General Manager Executive Chef

Abingdon, MD

*************@*****.*** 443-***-****

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Performance-driven hospitality executive with 15+ years of leadership experience overseeing multi-unit food & beverage operations, large-scale teams, and full P&L responsibility. Proven ability to lead teams of 200+ employees, control food and labor costs, drive operational excellence, and elevate guest satisfaction. Combines strong culinary expertise with business acumen to improve profitability, efficiency, and team performance.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director of Dining Services

Brightview Senior Living — Catonsville, MD

December 2024 – Present

Lead senior living dining operations with full accountability for service excellence, sanitation, financial performance, and resident satisfaction.

Elevate guest experience by improving food quality, presentation, temperature control, and hospitality standards across multiple neighborhoods.

Implement structured systems (prep, par, organization, compliance) to ensure operational consistency and regulatory readiness.

Develop and coach managers and frontline teams to strengthen execution, accountability, and performance.

Drive continuous improvement by identifying gaps, reducing waste, and building sustainable systems for dining excellence.

Executive Sous Chef

Great Wolf Lodge — Perryville, MD

March 2023 – January 2025

Oversee daily operations across 11 high-volume Food & Beverage outlets within a resort environment.

Lead, train, and develop 200+ employees across culinary, service, and supervisory roles.

Implement inventory, purchasing, and labor controls to maintain cost efficiency and operational consistency.

Partner with corporate leadership on menu development, rollouts, and execution standards.

Ensure compliance with brand standards, food safety regulations, and guest satisfaction metrics.

Support leadership development by mentoring managers and supervisors for growth and retention.

General Manager

Texas Roadhouse — Fallston, MD

November 2019 – May 2023

Directed full restaurant operations including P&L, payroll, scheduling, inventory, and financial reporting.

Led hiring, onboarding, training, and performance management for FOH and BOH teams.

Maintained top-tier standards for food quality, cleanliness, service, and guest experience.

Drove sales through local marketing initiatives, community engagement, and promotions.

Managed vendor relationships, ordering, and receiving to optimize food and labor.

Built a culture of accountability, teamwork, and consistency that supported strong operational results.

Executive Chef

Black Eyed Suzies — Bel Air, MD

August 2016 – December 2019

Managed all kitchen operations including staffing, scheduling, and training.

Controlled food cost through accurate purchasing, inventory management, and waste reduction.

Developed seasonal menus and recipes aligned with local trends and guest demand.

Collaborated with marketing and operations teams on promotions, special events, and menu launches.

Delivered food knowledge and product training for FOH leadership and management teams.

Executive Chef

Towson Tavern Rec Room Recher Theater — Towson, MD

May 2008 – September 2016

Led culinary operations across multiple venues and service concepts.

Recruited, trained, and scheduled kitchen teams to meet high-volume demands.

Oversaw purchasing, vendor management, and inventory control to maintain cost efficiency.

Designed innovative menu offerings, specials, and seasonal concepts.

Ensured food safety, proper product rotation, and strong mise en place standards.

CORE SKILLS

Multi-Unit Operations Leadership

Team Development & Coaching

P&L & Financial Management

Food & Labor Cost Control

Menu & Recipe Development

Inventory & Vendor Management

Food Safety & Compliance

Guest Experience Optimization

Scheduling & Labor Analysis

Microsoft Office & POS Systems

CERTIFICATIONS

ServSafe Food Protection Manager and proctor — Valid through Sept 2027

TIPS Alcohol Awareness Certified — Valid through June 2027

EDUCATION

DeVry University

Bachelor’s Degree — Business Management (2020)

Associate Degree — Hospitality Management (2019)

REFERENCES

Samantha Mayorga

District Manager, Texas Roadhouse

**********@*****.*** 443-***-****

Brent Daniel

F&B Director, Great Wolf Lodge

********@*********.*** 443-***-****

Tyson Spangler

Dining Specialist, Brightview Senior Living

*********@****.*** 443-***-****

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