Choo Choon Kiat, Sodexo General Manager
Caterpillar Singapore

“What a great experience and a learning opportunity. Chef Johann’s food was outstanding, but it was most rewarding to learn about South African culture.”

Stephen Miller
General Manager
St. Cloud University

“What an amazing and wonderful experience! The Global Chef Program was well received by all parties on campus. This program helped to show another asset of having Sodexo on Campus! We would love to do this again.”

Tim Ness
Operations Manager Resident Dining
St. Cloud University

“The Global Chef Program brought buzz and enthusiasm to campus and really demonstrated our commitment to diversity and inclusion.”

Greg Lepore
General Manager
Illinois Institute of Technology

“The Global Chef Program exchange of Chef Johann Becker was a great experience to learn the highlights of a new cuisine, as well as make new friends thru the training meetings.”

John Krickl
District Executive Chef
Northwestern University

“This is the third Global Chef Marquette University has hosted, and each one improves in regards to organization and follow through. From the first conference call to the morning we dropped Johann off at the airport, our experience was nothing but positive. I would strongly suggest involvement with this program.”

Gary Schrubbe
Food Service Manager
Marquette University

“This program really relates to our client. Expect a great experience, but work to help create that experience. It is a partnership between program and unit.”

Dave Colacicco
District Manager
World Bank

“Our experience with the Global Chef Program was 100% positive! Our client was pleased and our students were more engaged in our activities with Global Chef Johann Becker than they have been with anything all year. It was very interesting and a lot of fun!”

Kristen Rucks
Marketing Manager
St. Cloud State University

“The Global Chef Program is one of the best customer and client relations programs I have experienced. Everyone enjoys good food and people love watching it being prepared. The interaction with Chef Joaquin Suarez and students was priceless.”

John Dering
General Manager, University of Mary Washington
Sodexo

“The Global Chef Program was an exciting time for us here at Bowie State University.  The days were filled with fun and it was a pleasure for all being introduced to the culture of Colombia. The diversity of people and food being brought together is always a good thing. Sodexo is on the right track.”

Juanita Watkins
Catering Director, Bowie State University
Sodexo

“Global Chef is a great program and I am so happy that Howard was among those chosen to participate. The excitement that was generated with this event was fantastic and amazing. It really took people out of the box and they enjoyed it.”

Ellen Early
General Manager, Howard University
Sodexo

“Great chef (Joaquin Suarez). Great food. The program hit the mark on providing authenticity and training.”

Dave Colacicco
District Manager, The World Bank
Sodexo

“We loved Chef Suarez. Everyone learned a lot and had a wonderful experience.”

John X. Rocca
Group Executive Chef, The World Bank
Sodexo

“We truly enjoyed the opportunity to host Chef Suarez here at the University of Mary Washington. He inspired our culinary staff and delighted our student, faculty and public guests. His menu was delicious and beautifully prepared. The most rewarding part was getting the students excited about our food. Our students are all anxious to have another Global Chef event soon!”

Rose Benedict,
Marketing Manager, University of Mary Washington
Sodexo

“To see and hear students’ reactions when Chef Suarez toured the dining room was amazing. Speaking with the students, faculty, and staff on how they liked the meal and educating them about Colombia provided true value that differentiates us as a company. The authenticity listening to him was a WOW for everyone.”

Rawn Burnett
District Manager, Howard University
Sodexo

“My clients felt Sodexo really brought value to the college by highlighting our international roots.”

Jason Briles
Sodexo General Manager
Linfield College

“Having Chef Barzola as a guest in our community was a pleasure for everyone involved. It was terrific getting to try food from a different culture that was truly authentic and to have an event that was new and different. We would definitely welcome being a part of this program again in the future!”

Pam Kurzen
Marketing Coodinator and Administrative Assistant
Emporia State University

“The Bentley Community really enjoyed having Chef Tan on campus. Our chefs learned from him and it was a great experience for all of our cooks to see how a chef from another country works in the kitchen.”

Rebecca Mann
Sodexo Retail Operations Manager
Bentley College

“The Global Chef visit was a great experience. The students and our staff learned a lot about the Peruvian culture, and had a wonderful time.”

Andy Fisher
Sodexo Executive Chef
University of Missouri Kansas City

“The Global Chef program provides customers and staff with a unique opportunity to experience authentic global foods in a comfortable environment. Not only are they exposed to new foods, but they are educated in its source, history, and preparation, which bring an entirely new appreciation to the dining experience.”

Rich Blanchard
Sodexo Retail Manager
Keene State College

“Our second Global Chef exchange has created a buzz at Keene State. As we have expanded the program offered and moved the chef into the classroom, a significant number of students are touched on a level we cannot replicate in a typical dining event. Other campus departments and organizations are asking to be involved with and exposed to the chef exchanges. This program is an invaluable asset to the dining program at Keene State.”

Rebecca Briggs, RD
Sodexo Marketing Manager
Keene State College

"Each Global Chef exchange is a great experience. The exposure is tremendous, as students, clients, faculty, and staff are still talking about the visit from the Global Chef long after the event."

Roger Kayser
Sodexo District Chef
University of Vermont

"In my 28 year career, I have had the opportunity to work with some great chefs, but this experience was second to none. The entire staff really learned about and absorbed true Thai cuisine. The experience was therefore not only fantastic for students and faculty, but a great experience for the culinarians at Emory University!"

Michel Wetli
Sodexo Executive Chef
Emory University

"Exposure to the Global Chef Program is a life experience that I will never forget. Chef Deane is an amazing chef and person to be around and he brings a lot to the table!"

John Morano
Sodexo FSM and Retail Manager
New England College

"More than anthing else, the Global Chef Program shows clients and customers that Sodexo is truly a worldwide company with resources to provide whatever services they will need."

Hank Strashnick
Sodexo General Manager
Saint Michaels College

"Chef Dennis Liu showed a very dedicated and professional attitude throughout the visit. His food was of the highest standard and well received by all customers and clients.”

Ian Barnett
Executive Development Chef & Sodexo Global Chef
Sodexo UK

"We had a wonderful experience with Chef Samarn at Carleton College. Aside from the incredible food that he prepared, the experience of working side by side with him for our managers and kitchen staff was extremely rewarding. He brought a great work ethic, while at the same time brought a lightness and sense of cooperation to the kitchen during all stages of the cooking process. Our customers gave rave reviews for all the dishes that Chef Samarn prepared and his attention to detail was evident with a wonderful presentation.”

Shaunna Lavery
District Marketing Manager
Sodexo USA Campus Services

“The time chef Samarn spent here was fantastic! He took a huge interest in the program and what we were doing for the customer as well as really wanting to teach and coach my staff on how to do authentic Thai cooking. The date he was here happened to be our Admissions Visit Day, and a number of parents asked the dean of students Jeff Hynes, if this was an everyday occurrence. He replied no it was not, but the food quality is always like this.”

Joe Wojtowicz
Sodexo General Manager
Concordia University

“It was pleasure to work with Chef Suarez. The program was the first of its kind brought to Ramapo College and the students were intrigued. The staff found the program to add a great learning experience and we would welcome the program again.”

Emre Esendemir
Sodexo Retail Manager
Ramapo College of New Jersey

“Our staff loved the experience of working with a guest chef form another country. Chef Samarn worked steady, accurately and efficiently, serving 370 meals with our team that everyone – clients, staff and students - loved. He was a huge hit with our Asian population with his conversation. Overall a fantastic experience!”

Greg Lepore
Sodexo General Manager
Illinois Institute of Technology

“It is always great to meet chefs from other countries and they always leave us with new recipe ideas and ways to spice up the board dining experience. It’s a great program.”

Mike Bush
Sodexo Chef Manager
Creighton University

“Global Chef is without a doubt a huge success, and one we can all feel extremely proud to have taken part in. Placid Gomes returned to Oman, invigorated and full of praise of the outstanding preparation and organization. We have all reaped untold benefits, which will be realized over the coming months.”

Robert M. Crompton
President
Sodexo Oman

“Our time with Chef Suarez was a pure joy. He truly represents what the Global Chef
program is all about. He made many friendships during his short time with us. We profited as
a team in many ways including some great recipes and culinary tips and, most of all, the exposure to a consummate professional in every sense of the word.”

Paul Bahan
Director of Marketing
Sodexo USA Campus Services

"The Global Chef program was a great opportunity for us to differentiate ourselves from other university dining services. The students at Northwestern University were looking for real authentic food items. Having a chef from China visit our campus was fantastic! Chef Wah developed a following from the first day on campus. Through strategic marketing of Chef Wah's visit to the campus community, we were able to build an excitement that was unparallel by other events on campus. Our retail sales grew when Chef Wah was preparing the food items and in the resident locations we had greater participation and higher satisfaction. 

The Global Chef program provided a valuable experience for our culinary staff to see how
the cooking styles differ. This also gave Chef Wah an opportunity to learn about our cooking styles. The University liaisons and administration appreciated seeing the University receive local and national recognition for an innovative program. I would recommend this program to
any school that has a diverse population. Our students are already looking forward to the
next Chef to visit campus."

Paul Komelasky
Resident District Manager
Sodexo USA Campus Services

"There was quite a stir on campus surrounding each of Ian’s stops. In all instances, students queued up and waited for the “Best of British” to be served. And, did they get it! Not only did
the students truly enjoy the cuisine, we managed to change the impression in the minds of tomorrow’s decision makers that English food really can be delicious! They walked away
saying “wow,” "unbelievable,” and other positive comments. Students weren’t our only fans; 
we made great inroads with our clients on the campuses where Ian visited as well.
  
We will continue to support the Global Chef Program and hope to share some of our culinary talent with our friends overseas in the near future! It goes without saying that Ian is always welcome back to enjoy a little Texas hospitality!"
 
Julia A Taylor
Marketing Director
Sodexo USA Campus Services

"Congratulations to all on the Global Chef program. Thank you for providing such creativity and value to our campuses.”

Tim Smith
Senior Vice President - Operations
Sodexo USA Campus Services

"The Global Chef program was definitely a hit at UMass Dartmouth. It was a learning
experience for all of us. We were excited to work side by side with Chef Patrick Cox and eagerly absorbed the knowledge he shared (new techniques, recipes and even language
and cultural similarities and differences). Chef Cox was just as eager to learn our culture.
We frequently talk about the experience and it fills us with a sense of pride and we feel fortunate that we could be a part of it.
 
Students, faculty, and staff were amazed at the talent we had within Sodexo and reveled in the experience of the new flavors and experiences the program brought to them. It was like traveling without all the hassle. The Global Chef program truly took us to another world."
 
Jennifer Pacheco
Sodexo Marketing Manager
UMass Dartmouth

“[The Global Chef Program] was well received. It created excitement on campus and gave the students, faculty and the staff a nice change and chance to learn about another culture.”

Anthony Longobardo
Sodexo General Manager
St. Peter’s College

“The Global Chef program at Emma Willard had a substantial impact on all of the members of
the Emma Willard community. The students enjoyed Joaquin Suarez's wonderful South
American specialties at many meals throughout the week long experience. The language department faculty members were able to converse with Joaquin at a special dinner created just for them at the Head of School's home. The Dining Service staff are still talking about what they learned, ate, and experienced. This is truly a wonderful program for the entire campus community.”

Mary Attenweiler
District Manager
Sodexo USA Campus Services

“Creighton participated in the Global Chef program with a visit from Chef Joaquin Suarez of Sodexo Colombia and the response we received from students, our client and members of
the local community were excellent! The food prepared was unlike anything experienced on campus before. Students really responded and are looking forward to our next Global Chef.”

Katie M. Wahlquist
Sodexo District Marketing Manager
Creighton University

“It was a great experience to work in Italy with the Sodexo Italy team at the University of
Siena. They welcomed me and Chef Jim into their kitchen and into their daily routine without skipping a beat. They showed us great Italian hospitality. It felt like we were working with
them for years. GM Alexander, Chef Claudio, Lead Cook Ana, and Lucia who worked side by side with us were just fantastic. One of the highlights of our trip was the standing ovation we received on our last day of our trip. The students and staff were applauding us in the
dining room after our last meal. It was very gratifying to know they enjoyed the California
cuisine that we brought to Tuscany. I learned much from our trip to Italy. The food was fantastic, fresh and simple. They use fresh quality ingredients, prepared in an easy simple manner. Nothing too complicated, but it really wakes up your mouth with pure flavor.
The Global Chef program was a great experience and I am very grateful for the opportunity
to participate. I am looking forward to the completion of our exchange with Sodexo Italy
when their chef comes to California.”

Rick Nargi
Sodexo General Manager
Chapman University