Food & Beverage Concessions - Ingenious Culinary Concepts

OUR STORY…

SOMETHING TO KNOW ABOUT US

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step

Ingenious Culinary Concepts Chief Innovator, Kern Halls has a long and diverse track record of success in food and beverage industry.

Starting as a culinary specialist in the United States Navy, Kern finished at the top of his class earning him accelerated advancement for his rank as well as a recommendation to work at Camp David.

Kern has worked on ships that carried a range of 300 to over 3,500 servicemen. He was amassed (in civilian terms “employee of the month”) for 6 months in a row. He has cooked for dignitaries from other countries and has been awarded numerous accolades while serving his country.

Highlights of Kern’s accomplishments

Upon returning to his home state of Florida, he was employed by Walt Disney World working as a front-of-the-house manager. He was responsible for managing two separate restaurants averaging $18 million dollars in sales year annually.

After his successful stint at Disney, Kern then turned to school food service. He went to work for the 8th largest school district in the nation, Orange County Public Schools (OCPS). Working in the foodservice department, he brought to bear the experience he had gathered from the Navy and Disney.

Kern supervised 19 high schools, before the district grew to 23. Of the initial 19 schools he inherited, 18 were in a deficit and the entire program was 6 million dollars in the hole. After three years of a lot of hard work, 22 of 23 high schools were profitable and increased business for these schools by 46%. As a result, the department (as a whole) was no longer in a deficit.

Ingenious Culinary Concepts

Implemented the first food truck (in the K-12 segment nationwide) giving students additional access to meals.
Pioneered the food show concept that is still being replicated today in school districts across the nation.
Has won numerous USDA, and Innovation awards.

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS)

Responsible for making sure there was consistency in the food and service at the 10th largest school district in the United States.
Promoted to Senior Manager after two years.
Impacted a 400% increase in MWBE/LDB business during his tenure.

United States Navy

Finished in the top of his class in Culinary School.
Earned accelerated advancement.
Recommended to work at Camp David
Earned the equivalent of employee of the month for 6 consecutive months.

Community Ties

Mentor students at Jones High school through the Compact program
Volunteers at the Second Harvest Food Bank
Coached Ocoee Pop warner football
Coached baseball at Ocoee little league

Walt Disney World

Received the “Partners in Excellence” award – The highest award an employee can earn.

Passenger Solutions

For over a decade, Ingenious Culinary Concepts has partnered with brands locally and nationwide to provide food with integrity. We believe in high quality, fresh, and nutritious food and beverages to fuel passengers for their journey. If you are interested in partnering opportunities, please contact us using the contact form below.

Certification

A Veteran Owned Company.

Ingenious Culinary Concepts was born out of Kern Halls exemplary service as a United States Naval culinary specialist. Bringing the same skill and determination to bear on his career in the Navy as he does to the food and beverage industry, Kern was awarded with five culinary awards while serving from 1993- 2001. He was also nominated to the White House Foodservice Staff.

Our Certifications

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

State of Florida (Office of Supplier Diversity) Florida Veteran & Minority Business Certification

Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (Florida) ACDBE – Airport Concessionaire Disadvantaged Business Enterprise DBE – Disadvantaged Business Enterprise LDB – Local Developing Business MWBE – Minority/Women Business Enterprise SBE – Small Business Enterprise SDVBE – Service-Disabled Veteran Business EnterpriseMBE – Minority Business Enterprise

Orange County Business Development Division (Florida) SDVBE – Service-Disabled Veteran Business MBE – Minority Business Enterprise

Orange County Public Schools (Florida) LDB – Local Developing Business DUNS: 018390910 CAGE: 6T5B9

We are certified as an ABCDE in the following states:

Florida
Georgia
Virginia
Washington DCA/Reagan
New York
New Jersey
Denver
Massachusetts

HAVING A QUESTION

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FOOD AND BEVERAGE CONCESSIONS