MIKE MCKINNON
Mike began working restaurants in his early teen years and discovered his passion for food service. While studying at UC Berkeley Mike hired on as a line cook at Skates on the Bay, owned and operated by Restaurants Unlimited Inc., whose other well-known brands include Kincaid's, Palomino and Cinnabon. After college Mike assumed the role of Chef then was asked to move to LA as Regional Chef for RUI.
From there Mike became Executive Chef for Cheesecake Factory then on to Vice President of Food and Beverage for Champps Americana, Rainforest Café, and Vice President of Culinary for Jillian's Entertainment, Copeland's of New Orleans and Lone Star Steakhouse. Some of his more noteworthy consulting clients have been Norwegian Cruise Line, Peninsula Gaming, Main Event Entertainment, Stone Flats and scores of independent and specialty food and beverage concepts.
Mike's 30 year restaurant career has taken him across the country multiple times, to Canada, Mexico and Europe. His broad experience has allowed him to develop a keen understanding of how to launch and operate high volume kitchen's successfully and efficiently. Mike also has a great expertise in managing the BOH from a business perspective and routinely supports our clients in evolving their existing kitchens to improved profitability and guest satisfaction.
