CURRICULUM VITAE
KEVIN JOSEPH - PRIVATE CHEF
WORK IN PROGRESS AS OF SEPT 16, 2020. I have been a self-employed entrepreneur for a very long time. I’m building this CV from scratch and it is NOT traditional. Thank you for taking the time to learn about me and my desire to continue to practice my craft as a private chef and/or culinary consultant on land and at sea.
My objectives as of December 2020 are to work full time as / in…
PRIVATE CHEF: For a family in The Caribbean or Florida
YACHT CHEF: Full Time / Part Time / Freelance Yacht Chef (Florida or Caribbean).
RESTAURANT OPERATION CONSULTANT: Operate an elite oyster / raw bar program for an existing and established restaurant operator in FL or Caribbean.
YACHT CHEF: As a yacht chef I bring a culinary specialty that can be harnessed by charter vessels as a significant point of differentiation and marketing tool. I have a federal trademark on the term MARINE CUISINE & DelicaSEAS. This is Seafood 2.0. I have developed and mastered a collection of dishes informed by a focus on the most sustainable, responsible and healthy fish, shellfish, crustaceans, gastropods and marine vegetation. Response to this menu and these dishes has been tested over many years and dozens of clients. Referrals and recommendations can be found HERE.
BRIEF HOSPITALITY EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
Grew Up in a Seafood Restaurant Family with operations in NY & Florida. From
East Hampton (Springs) NY - The Fat Flounder - 1971 - 1978
East Hampton (Montauk) NY - The Flying Fish - 1960 - 1976
Bonita Springs, FL - McCully’s Rooftop Restaurnant 1976 - 1998
1993 - 2005 I worked in just about every role one can in the restaurant business. First, in our family restaurants and then, during college I stuck to the front of house as waiter and bartender at various high end restaurants in Boulder, Colorado.
2010 - 2013 - National Sales & Marketing Director, Blue Island Oyster Company, Sayville, NY. In this role I achieved a 37% increase in our NYC business (the core business). However, I also traveled the US to meet with, educate, train and do sales calls with large seafood distributors such as Inland (GA, FL, SC, ), Louisiana Seafood (TX, LA, OK), Seattle Fish (CO, KS, UT, AZ), Supreme Lobster (IL, IN, OH), Santa Monica Seafood (CA), Foley Fish (MA, NH, RI, NY…etc) and Fortune FIsh (IL). I managed trade show appearances as well. Overall our sales to distributors increased 375% under my leadership. I also developed several oyster brands, new grower / supplier relationships and strengthened existing supplier relationships. I worked closely and effectively with famous chefs, restaurants and hotels including Le Bernardin and The Waldorf Astoria.
2011 - Present, Founder of New York Oyster Week, a celebration of the history, culture, cuisine, economy & ecology of Oysters in NY. Having presented this 8 years in a row we have produced at least 60 public, ticketed events in the process, shucked and served an estimated $500,000 oysters and contributed an estiated 1,000,000 oyster shells to oyster reef restoration projects like Billion Oyster Project. Some of our events saw as many as 25,000 oysters shucked and served to 1,000 + guests. Osthers were very boutique, small and specialized for a small group of guests. We have worked with beer, wine & spirits brand from around the world and sponsors of all other kinds as well. We will pause in 2020 due to COVID.
2014 - Present, Creator of International Oyster Day, November 18th. An alternative to August 5th, or National Oyster Day, which is a TERRIBLE day to celebrate oysters in the Northern Hemisphere for at least 5 reasons.
2013 - Present, Founder of The OysterHood, a global digital community for oyster loving consumers, members of the oyster trade and brands looking to engage in Oyster Related Marketing.
2013 - Present, Founder of Empire Oyster, a vertically integrated oyster company based in NY. Founded in 2013, Empire Oyster has been catering raw bars and offering the finest MARINE CUISINE to dozens of clients. We had been consultants to seafood distributors, restauranteurs and oyster farmers as well, with great success. We are currently partnering with a group to bring the first ever oyster farm to Springs & Amagansett, hamlets of the Town of East Hampton. We are also on several of our own culinary concepts including RAW BARge (1959, 50’ Tug Boat Conversion to a Raw Bar) and a collection of oyster / culinary destinations around the US & Canada.
2017 - Present, Founder of Oysters Unlimited, a non-profit committed to oyster habitat preservation, conservation and restoration.
2013 - Present, Founder of Mashomack Paddle Board Outfitters, based in Sag Harbor, NY (which is adjacent to Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island). I offer an elite level of service and instruction with a private, bespoke offering for beginners or elite paddlers. As a Fully Certified SUP pro since 2013 I have paddled roughly 10,000 miles of open ocean, river, lake and bay paddling experience in NY, FL, CO, CT, MA, NJ, SC, NC, VA, GA, MS, AL, RI and PR.
Professional Ski Instructor 1984-2006 (Including several seasons in Vail, CO & St Moritz, Switzerland). I began teaching skiing in New York’s Catskill Mountains at age 13. In 1995 I earned his Full Certification for Professional Ski Instructors of America. I have skied about 1500 days in 7 countries and 2 continents. Most of my experience in CO came after IU went to college in Boulder. MY experience in Vail was almost entirely request private bookings with only 2 families over 6 seasons. My ability to speak German, my experience, reputation, connections and my full certification allowed me to do something that, at that time, no other American ever had: Teach skiing at the most elite ski school on earth. This was Suvretta House in St. Moritz, CH. The Leading Hotel of The World had its own private ski school.
PERSONAL
HOME BASE / CITIZENSHIP: Palm Beach, Florida / American
PLACE OF BIRTH: Fairplay, Colorado, Dec 11, 1970
MARITAL STATUS: Divorced, no children.
HEALTH: Zero existing or historic conditions or limitations. Perfect health. No medications. No allergies.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: English, German, Spanish & Italian
EDUCATION: Fort Lee High School, Fort Lee, NJ (1989) University of Colorado @ Boulder (1995, B.A. - History, Magna Cum Laude
CERTIFICATIONS: Full Certification, Professional Ski Instructors of America 1995, Full Certification, Paddle Fit Coaching, 2014, PADI S.C.U.B.A. Certified
OTHER EXPERTISE: Marine Biology, Oceanography, Coral Reef Ecology, European History & Anthropology
HOBBIES & PASSIONS: Surfing, SCUBA, Swimming, Spearfishing, Fishing, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Concerts, Reading, Business, Starting
POLITICAL AFFILIATIONS: Independent
OTHER: No tattoos, non-smoker, impeccable hygiene, professional demeanor, happy to take drug tests and have background checks.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
PRESS & MEDIA: www.EmpireOyster.com/press
CONTACT: