Meet Our Ingenious “Chief Innovator” — Kern Halls!

Meet Our Ingenious “Chief Innovator” — Kern Halls!

I’ve always been passionate about food and serving others. My mother taught me how to cook, sew, and wash clothes at the tender age of five. She wanted me to not depend on others … and make my way out of no way. I thought she was just taking advantage of free labor.

When I was ten, I moved from the Virgin Islands to Orlando, Florida — from excellent weather to great weather! In fact, I never owned a jacket until I was 10 years old.

When I graduated from high school I joined the US Navy where I became a Culinary Specialist. I had the best time of my life traveling to other countries and preparing dishes for dignitaries. I was even nominated to work at the White House!

After eight and half years with the Navy I ventured forth into corporate America. I became part of the team at Walt Disney World managing a restaurant with 18 million dollars in sales. I wanted to broaden my skill set so I moved from the back of the house to the front of the house. And I had a MAGICAL time sprinkling pixie dust on guests from all over the world!

Your customer service skills have to be more than up to par for the MOUSE.

I was busily working my way up the corporate ladder until I was faced with a BIG decision.

I came home one day and saw my son with his friends outside. All the kids were riding their bicycles except my son. I was so busy accelerating my career that I failed to teach him how to ride his bike. I wasn’t there for him when he needed me – and didn’t even know it!

I felt like the scum of the earth. My wife had been encouraging me to look into school foodservice but I hadn’t taken her suggestions seriously. I knew she was right — but don’t tell her I said so.

Long story short, I left the Mouse and joined Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), the 10th largest district in the nation.

Needless to say, that was one of the best decisions I ever made. I created balance in my life and fulfillment all at the same time. I was responsible for marketing, special projects and the secondary school menus. Plus I was a real Dad again!

I put my degrees in Business Management and Marketing to work … and watched the results with excitement and pride. We achieved many firsts, broke records and brought recognition to OCPS for innovation and student satisfaction!

After eight plus years at OCPS I was ready to take one more step forward. I decided to launch Ingenious Culinary Concepts (ICC).

ICC is the bridge between the manufacturer and the student. We create innovative marketing/promotion techniques and strategies that “Bring Your Customers to the Table.”

What about the foodservice director? Well, they benefit from my hands-on experience using focus group research and marketing skill sets to get students to want to dine in their cafeterias.

Among many examples, we developed a product for a manufacturer that increased incremental sales by 303%! I’ve also written award-winning menus that have increased participation in high schools — the most challenging grade level — by 42%! So I am no stranger when it comes to creating products that SKYROCKET participation.

How can ICC help you work magic for your target market?

Dedicated to bringing your customers to the table!

Kern Halls

“Chief Innovator”
Ingenious Culinary Concepts
Tel/Fax 1(888)-994-3476

www.ingeniouscc.com

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