Dean Small

Dean Small is a prominent restaurant industry professional with extensive experience in food service consulting. He is the founder and CEO of Synergy Restaurant Consultants, a firm he established in 1988 that provides innovation and efficiency strategies to restaurants and food manufacturers.3

Professional Background:

• Founded Synergy Restaurant Consultants in 1988, focusing on operator and supplier menu innovation3
• Has over 35 years of hands-on food service experience3
• Worked with over 225 national restaurant chains and independent operators3
• Personally traveled over 12 million air miles and dines at approximately 400 restaurants annually1

Education and Achievements:

• Earned a bachelor's degree from Hofstra University
• Holds an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) from the Culinary Institute of America3
• Notable career highlight includes being the personal chef to Dr. Henry Kissinger and his wife Nancy2

Expertise: Small is known for his food-focused and operations-obsessed approach to restaurant consulting. He has expertise in:

• Concept development
• Food and beverage strategies
• Menu planning
• Restaurant design
• Marketing
• Training and hospitality initiatives13

His work often involves analyzing food trends, with a particular focus on emerging influences like Generation Y (Millennials) and changing dining concepts.1

Company: Synergy Restaurant Consultants has offices across multiple states, including California, Texas, Ohio, Florida, Washington D.C., Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and New York.1