Leanne Valenti

Website: www.rhymeandseason.com Email: leanne.valenti@gmail.com

Leanne navigates the kitchen with poise & purpose, displaying reverence for the food she prepares and respect for those with whom she shares workspace. An apt learner, she asks good questions and is attentive to the answers."
- Elizabeth Andoh Author of Washoku and Kansha

Culinary Experience
Employer: Position: Summary: Employer: Position: Summary: Honors: Foundation Culinary, Austin, TX Chef, August 2013 - Present Design, source & cook nutritionist-approved meals for weekly delivery. Sway, Austin, TX Line Cook, June 2013 - Present Saut, fry, grill, salad Best Restaurant (Austin Chronicle, 2013); Top 50New Restaurants (Bon Apptit, 2013)

Employer: 2Dine 4 Fine Catering, Austin, TX Event Chef, April 2012 - Present Position: Summary: Execute multi-course menus for events ranging from weddings & corporate parties to intimate gatherings & tailgating parties. Employer: Supper Friends at The SWOOP House, Austin, TX Managing Chef, October 2012 September 2013 Position: Summary: Coordinate & host supper clubs at 32-seat pop up restaurant; Recruit, orient & support guest chefs; Develop & implement systems for procurement, costing & inventory. Employer: TEDxAustin xLunch Execution Lead, August 2012 - February 9, 2013 Position: Summary: Developed concept & oversaw execution of bento-style lunch for 500+ at The Circuit of the Americas with chefs from TRACE Restaurant at W Austin, Hillside Farmacy, Barnison Catering, 2 Dine 4 Fine Catering & Quality Seafood. Employer: Position: Summary: Whole Foods Market, Austin, TX Prep Cook, 2011 Prepped for chef training programs at the Lamar Culinary Center.

"Leanne has the makings of a great chef: attention to detail, incredible organization, commitment to quality, and unshakable work ethic."
- Chef Chad Sarno Vice President of Plant-Based Education, Rouxbe Online Cooking School

Leanne's vision for xLunch is the opposite of tunnel vision her design sense is vastly creative, sophisticated, and delightfully drawn from our highest concept ideas All of this done while being data-driven and budgetconscious, and having an endless reserve of energy.
- Shawna Butler Producer, TEDxAustin

Employer: Atsusaka Family, Izunokuni, Japan Personal Chef, February May 2011 Position: Summary: Designed and prepared daily meals for family of four with fresh, seasonal ingredients; Assisted in the familys commercial bakery.

Employer: Position: Summary:

Employer: Position: Summary:

Ecstatic Cuisine Catering & Cafe, Austin, TX Prep Cook, 2010 Catered large family-style dinners in keeping with kosher practices.
Casa de Luz, Austin, TX Baker, 2010 Designed and created weekly menus of vegan, gluten-free desserts.

Employer: Position: Summary:

Dai Due Butcher Shop, Austin, TX Apprentice, 2010 Made seasonal artisanal products for retail & catering.
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Leanne sees the potential in our students, the talent and ability in our staff, and the big picture in our program... and she works tirelessly to fulfill all three.
Emily Schneider-Krzys National Program Director Citizen Schools

Teaching & Administration Experience

Employer: The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts Director of Student Experience, August 2011 September 2012 Position: Summary: Foster community relations & curriculum development on the local & national level; Connect students & graduates with externship & career opportunities that suit their long-term goals. Employer: Engine 2 Immersion, Austin, TX Food Coach, September 2011 June 2012 Position: Summary: Provided coaching & guidance to individuals making health-supportive dietary changes. Presented cooking demos to 250+ immersion participants at Boggy Creek Farm. Employer: Elizabeth Andoh, IACP award-winning author of Washoku and Kansha Kibo Advisory Council Coordinator, August 2011 March 2012 Position: Summary: Led 75 volunteers from 12 countries in collaborative cookbook-writing process; Tested recipes; Synthesized feedback; Coordinated local promotional events. Employer: Position: Summary: Ayurveda Health Retreat, Alachua, FL Guest Culinary Teacher, May June 2011 Taught Ayurvedic cooking classes in conjunction with Santa Fe Community College.

Leanne is perhaps the most contagiously enthusiastic and enrolling person Ive ever met. Whatever she is promoting, I and everyone else she reached wants to participate in it. I would recommend her as the public face of ANY company or organization.
Brandi Clark Burton Chief Inspiration Officer Austin Eco-Network

Employer: Citizen Schools, Austin, TX Positions: Campus Director, 2008-2010 / Teaching Fellow, 2006-2008 Summary: Hired & trained 20 educators and 200 volunteers; Annually recruited and oriented 100+ middle school students and their families; Designed & led engaging curriculum & field trips for students (ages 11-14); Developed communication & organizational systems that were adopted nationally; Managed & balanced annual campus budget 100% Staff Retention (08-09 & 09-10); Tulaine Shabazz Marshall Village Builders Honors: Award (2009); Citizen Schools Highest Performing Campus (2007-2008)

Education
The Natural Epicurean Academy of Culinary Arts, Austin, TX Chefs Certificate, Health-Supportive & Plant-Based Cooking Lesley University, Cambridge, MA Masters in Education, Curriculum & Instruction Tulane University, New Orleans, LA B.A. Political Science International Relations with Minors in Business & French Study Abroad at Institut dEtudes Commerciales Suprieures, Strasbourg, FR

Leanne not only has inspiring ideas about how to implement lessons and encourage participation. She is also a great listener, and is quick to implement suggestions.
Salvador Perez ESL Program Specialist Austin ISD

Additional Skills & Certifications

Technology: Social Media, Microsoft Office, Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop, WordPress Certifications: First Aid/CPR, TABC, Texas Food Handler, ServSafe Food Manager Languages: English (native), Spanish (basic)

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