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Who we are

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Ingenious Culinary Concepts is composed of a team of K-12 experts dedicated to ensuring students receive the highest quality products and services (possible) from their school cafeterias. We have been in the industry for over 20 years and have encountered and solved all sorts of unique challenges when it comes to school meals. Our recommendations and suggestions are proven consistently time and time again, and we are famous in the industry for the results we have achieved for our various partners.

What we do

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Let’s Positively Impact Change…TOGETHER
Here’s what motivates us. Did you know…

Many days, the school meals provided to some students are their only guaranteed meals.
For many children, the breakfast and lunch they receive at school is the only healthy food they eat all day.
Children who lack proper nutrition have trouble focusing in school.
Students who eat nutritious meals every day (and lead active lifestyles) tend to excel (in every area).

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The Team

Kern Halls

Chief Innovator

Prior to starting Ingenious Culinary Concepts, I received my initial training in the US Navy (as a culinary specialist) and with Walt Disney World as restaurant manager. I joined Orange County Public Schools (Orlando) as a Training Manager and eventually became a Senior Manager in charge of: marketing, special projects, catering, professional development, secondary menu writing and oversaw 23 high schools.

Dream Destination: Thailand

Favorite Pastime and Hobby: Golf and Ride Motorcycles

Favorite Quote

"Pay now...or pay later. The latter is always more expensive!"

Patrice Halls

Chief Administrator

Prior to ICC I worked for Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) as a 7th & 8th grade English teacher. I later transitioned to OCPS’ district office (as a teacher coach then administrator) to support secondary schools in their college & career-readiness efforts for students.

Dream Destination: Bora Bora (an Island in the French Polynesia)

Favorite Pastime and Hobby: "Explore" (locally and internationally) with my loved ones!"

Favorite Quote

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self." ― Aldous Huxley

Zain Kabani

Technology Partner

Prior to his partnership with Ingenious Culinary Concepts, Mr. Kabani served as a Senior Client Servicing & Technical Account Manager for a highly reputable Web Development & Digital Marketing Agency and for Ingenious Culinary Concepts. Mr. Kabani has over 7 years' extensive experience of account and project management in the digital realm and is a resourceful Technology Partner for Ingenious Culinary Concepts.

Dream Destination: Got a few, but Switzerland for sure!

Favorite Pastime and Hobby: Snorkeling, Scuba Diving and Fishing.

Favorite Quote

"The secret to getting ahead is getting started." ― Mark Twain

Daisy

Office Therapist

Prior to joining ICC, Daisy worked as a full-time companion to her parents Kern & Patrice.

Dream Destination: Anywhere dog lovers exist!

Favorite Pastime and Hobby: Walking along her exclusive trail, receiving doggie treats and full body scratches.

Favorite Quote

"Dogs are man's best friend."

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What our Customers have to say

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Ingenious Culinary Concepts has transformed the industry. From school breakfast to lunch, we’ve wowed everyone from the Food service director to the lunch lady.

Beatriz Herrero

StarKist, Food Service Marketing Manager

We had a great experience working with Ingenious Culinary Concepts. Kern Halls has a broad experience developing concepts in the K-12 market. He and his Team were very valuable in helping us to understand the student preferences and how we can adapt our products to succeed in K-12.

Julie G Farris

Director – Nutrition, Training, Quality Assurance Dallas Independent School District

Ingenious Culinary Concepts provided a turn-key Food Festival event for Dallas ISD Food and Child Nutrition Services Department. Kern and his team thought of all the details and managed the event from start to finish and afterward! The event was a huge success and provided a very positive image for the district. We are continuing our partnership with Ingenious Culinary Concepts due to their professionalism and customer service.

Terri Whitacre

Director, School Food – Nutrition Services Charlotte County, Florida

I recommend Ingenious Culinary Concepts because Kern Halls is extremely knowledgeable in so many areas of the food service industry, from regulations to equipment, and from customers to the dining environment. He has experienced so many different school food & nutrition programs across the country that he can quickly provide suggestions to improve participation based on ‘what works’ in other districts. He is skilled at listening to student customers, expertly gaining their trust and inspiring them to share their perspective about school meals. We are excited about implementing suggestions that Kern made while visiting us in Charlotte County!

Kathleen Kane

SNS, Director of Food and Nutrition Services

Kern Halls delivered exactly what we needed to achieve change. Having a third party consultant conduct focus groups and program analysis – with a fresh and unbiased set of eyes – is a valuable and necessary tool when building buy in from staff and administration.

Linda Irby

I was out in the schools days after your workshop, the employees were still talking about how much they enjoyed it. I also observed them putting a little extra effort into serving the students. It was a pleasure to see. Thank you for the inspiration.

Child Nutrition Team

Region XIII, Austin, Texas

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive for your class and the conference overall. Your extra effort to provide up-to-date answers for the participants has not been overlooked. We appreciate your dedicated spirit and your commitment to excellence and therefore, insistently welcome you back to assist us in educating the food and nutrition personnel within Region 13.

Dawn Houser

SNS, MPA

This year we invited Kern Halls to present at our Manager’s in-service. He did a truly outstanding job! The information was timely, informative, and thought provoking. All of my Managers and Assistant Managers were totally engaged. It was the perfect way to start the new school year. I look forward to bringing him back to my District in the future to share more ideas and innovative concepts with my management staff!

Jeremy Berry

Kern Halls never disappoints, his passion for the Child Nutrition Industry and love for children nation wide is unreal. His ingenious ideas on marketing is on a different level. Simple things you don’t even think about. Yet it’s not just about increasing revenue, it’s about really caring for those kids who need you and look up to. Because one day they will look back and think of you.. Be passionate and pay it forward to our next generation.. That’s what Kern Halls is all about. Invite him into your district, think outside the box, find those ingenious ideas and roll with them. It will help you change the world! Help one kid in your life, find that passion change the world and the effects will be unreal.. Kern Halls you inspire me, let the life changing event begin!

Ingenious Culinary Concepts

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When we launched our business and dove into the educational nutrition services industry, we started small — literally. Our suggestions to schools were as simple as “keeping hot food hot, and cold food cold.” The results we saw were phenomenally progressive. The simplicity of our suggestions and the impact their execution makes could not be summed up by any other description (but the final name we are proudly known by) – Ingenious Culinary Concepts.

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