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About Us
Actually, It's Really About You...
We wouldn't be here right now if it wasn't for all of our wonderful corporate clients who believe in what we can do for you. We listen to what's not sizzling in your company and we work with you to find the recipe to your success.
Through our “kitchen magic” and unconventional way to impart kitchen wisdom, we can help your business achieve major results quickly. And we’ll work side-by-side with you to develop new, creative solutions to your ongoing challenges.
The CEO Chef Philosophy:
Team transformation can only be preceded by group rapport. Nothing builds rapport quicker and more effectively than sharing a meal together! Think of all the celebrations and holidays where food is the main method of bringing families, friends and colleagues together (the original teams!) We believe through the use of food, cooking preparation and food stories, your teams are able to experience a business simulation that achieves your team outcomes in a rapid, effective and fun process.
Our Programs:
CEO Chef is committed that our team building programs are fun, different, engaging and relevant to the message you want your team to take away
Fun! – The fun is the first part of a high functioning team. While we take your business seriously, we know the benefit to providing a safe environment for you to bond together and let your hair down (well, maybe not around the food…) We offer a ying to your daily business, and conference meeting's yang.
Different – We haven't just recently jumped on the bandwagon of cooking team buildings – we've been creating programs and pleasing clients for over 14 years! We understand the needs of our corporate clients, and know what does and doesn’t work.
Many companies offering cooking team building programs have chefs leading their programs. Chefs are trained to focus on food – its presentation, taste and overall appeal. Management and leadership development may not necessarily be near the top of the list of traits many chefs desire or have.
Conversely, our trainers are, first and foremost, trained facilitators with a focus on you and your people (and, yes, they have culinary skills, too). They have a background in training and development – skills vital for any culinary team building program’s success.
Engaging – Our programs are designed to create an environment of 100% participation. Because our culinary team experience requires creativity, resourcefulness, and collaboration to succeed, your group is motivated and inspired to participant at the highest level (not to mention hunger has a wonderful way of getting people focused on the goal at hand!)
Relevant – Your all important conference or meeting message and theme will be weaved throughout our program – from orientation through the final take away message. Because we are devoted only to the area of corporate culinary team building, we know what it takes to ensure your team's objectives are achieved!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Where are you located?
We have offices in the Los Angeles area of Southern California and in Northern California in Lake County. Our mailing address is CEO Chef, 311 N. Robertson Blvd. #888, Beverly Hills, CA 91325
Do you travel?
Yes! While our offices are based in the Los Angeles area our facilitators come from various areas, we come to you. We have delivered programs on company premises, in hotels and at other meeting venues throughout the United States and for our friends to the North in Canada.
How much lead time do you need for a program?
Ideally, we prefer a minimum of one month lead time to plan for a program. That said, we have planned and provided programs with as little as 2 days advance notice! Our ability to respond in a short time frame will depend on our existing schedule.
Please contact us and let us know your timeline; we will let you know what we can do!
How much do your programs cost?
We customize each program to your situation and goals. We'd be happy to confirm a budget for you once we have a clear understanding of your goals and objectives. Our minimum program fees typically begin around $2,500.
Do you run public workshops?
Nope. Our focus is customized client programs. We are also not a cooking school or catering company. Our focus is on you, your staff and the results you require.
What is the background of your facilitators?
The CEO Chef facilitators are Certified CEO Chef trainers and have completed the necessary training and apprenticeship. They have been carefully selected based on his/her ability to engage in a meaningful and memorable way with corporate groups. We require our facilitators possess that special blend of demonstrated skill, practical experience, corporate acumen, great communication skills, charisma, energy, improvisation, intelligence, and (importantly) a fondness for fun and humor. Plus, they also know and love food!
What makes CEO Chef different from other team development companies?
We believe there are five primary factors that differentiate us from our competitors:
Our focus. We are client relationship and results focused, and care deeply you can trust that we will treat you with great respect and care. We strive to ensure that every program we deliver meets the highest standards of quality and delivers desired business results. CEO Chef's business goal is quality over quantity—we actively choose to be a low-volume shop striving for deep relationships with our clients, rather than a high-volume empire churning out programs.
Our method. We believe the most effective way of building insight is by "doing” (or, in our case, by “cooking”.) We don't stand at the front of the room and talk at people. Instead, you engage in experiential hands-on activities, allowing you to discover meaningful “a-ha’s!” for yourself. As a result, everyone walks away with a deeper understanding of themselves and their team, and a stronger commitment to ongoing action.
Program uniqueness. We don't deliver off-the shelf programs – every program we deliver is unique and customized to each client's specific needs. We start with the end (your desired outcomes) in mind first, and build outward from there.
Our attitude. Play and fun are the cornerstones of successful learning. As boys and girls, we knew this instinctively. We want you to re-awaken the “kid” within by playing and cooking with us – and thereby learning valuable life lessons as well!
Our process. We use food, cooking preparation and kitchen stories in all of our team development offerings. We realize that food and eating are the natural rapport builders and the foundation of connecting with your group.
Ask your own question and we’ll respond quickly and completely. Just give us a call at 888-308-8326 email info@ceochef.com , or fill in an inquiry on our “Contact Us” page
Our Team
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Jim Connolly, President and Founder
Jim's ability to create extremely successful teams became widely known during his 17-year tenure as part-owner and Executive Chef at Emile's in San Jose, where he lead his team to achieve a consistent 4-star rating and a ranking as one of the top five restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to the Zagot Guide.
He has been featured in the popular national magazine, Prevention, the San Francisco Chronicle, American West Magazine, California CEO Magazine, J&W Alumni Magazine, as well as appearing as a periodic expert business guest on various television networks.
Jim is an honors graduate of Johnson & Wales University in hospitality management and culinary arts. Additionally, he has completed many professional courses in personal development, team dynamics and management training.
Jim's extensive experience provides him with the perfect platform to freely combine his love and flair for elegant cuisine with a passion for enabling high-performing teams.
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Carol Cole-Lewis, VP Operations
Carol combines her education with her corporate business experience to provide creative and relevant teamwork and leadership programs. During her 14 years in the United Kingdom, Carol was employed by IBM (UK) Ltd. as a sales executive, selling enterprise-wide technology solutions to financial institutions based in the UK.
Carol left IBM for Lexmark International (UK) Ltd, where she was national marketing manager for Lexmark's range of printers. She returned to US in 1994, where she has pursued a career as an independent trainer and consultant. In 1995, she began a collaboration with Jim Connolly, producing and starring in their own television show, Fitness for Busy People.
Carol holds a Bachelor of Science degree (summa cum laude) in Physical Education from Adelphi University, a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum Design and Teaching of Physical Education from Columbia University, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computing with Honors from the University of North London.
Carol has served in a leadership role with Toastmaster's International and as co-chair of the Consultant's Special Interest Group in the Silicon Valley Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)
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Renee Gordon, VP Client Relations
Renee understands the needs of corporate culture with the soul and passion of an entrepreneur. She has the uncanny ability to make people feel welcome, happy and valued (probably from her Hawaiian upbringing.) This, plus her unique blend of solid business savvy and an artistic creative mindset makes her the perfect choice for VP of Client Relations.
Renee’s high-energy personality combined with her artistic flair enable her to bring originality and creativity to any endeavor as: a high-performing real estate broker at the tender age of 21, a top International print model (Shiseido cosmetics spokesperson), a consultant for Trump International in Australia, and the owner of “Ambrosia Gourmet Catering and Gifts of Beverly Hills” (a corporate catering and gift company, and winner of the “National Corporate Gift Basket Designer of the Year” two years consecutively.)
Renee’s varied and eclectic education includes Los Angeles City Business College, Otis Parsons College of Design and the Cordon Bleu Cooking Institute in Paris.
Her other interests include organizing unique events and truly breath-taking parties for a wide variety of non-profit organizations, as well as for her vast network of clients, colleagues, and friends. Her latest philanthropic endeavor is the founding of a non-profit foundation for no-kill pet sanctuaries within Los Angeles communities.
One of her original claims to fame was as a “Soul Train” dancer (she’s still stopped on the streets by fans!) |
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