Neil Charles

Executive Chef with 25+ years of leadership in fine dining, hospitality, catering, and institutional food service. Extensive experience leading multi-kitchen operations, developing menus, managing food and labor costs, training culinary teams, and delivering exceptional guest experiences. Proven ability to build high-performing teams while maintaining quality, consistency, and financial performance.

Personal Chef & Caterer | Owner - Self-Employed

(2013-01)

Provide private dining, catering, weddings, and special event services. Manage menu development, purchasing, staffing, budgeting, and event execution.

Chef/Partner - The Cajun Kitchen - Fayetteville, AR

Owned and operated a successful restaurant and catering business, overseeing menu development, kitchen operations, purchasing, inventory, marketing, catering, and staff leadership.

Executive Chef - Butterfield Trail Village - Fayetteville, AR

Directed culinary operations for a three-kitchen senior living community.

• Supervised 50+ culinary employees
• Managed budgets, purchasing, inventory, scheduling, and food costs
• Maintained state and federal compliance
• Developed menus and standardized recipes
• Improved operational efficiency and staff performance

Executive Chef - Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority House - Fayetteville, AR

Managed all culinary operations, including menu planning, purchasing, staffing, and daily meal production.

Chef de Cuisine / Sous Chef / Banquet Chef - Inn at Carnall Hall (Ella's Restaurant)

Chef de Cuisine / Sous Chef / Banquet Chef - Blessings Golf Club

Chef de Cuisine / Sous Chef / Banquet Chef - Virginia Beach Resort Hotel

Chef de Cuisine / Sous Chef / Banquet Chef - Ramada Inn Plaza Resort

CEO & Co-Founder - Aquagro Inc.

(2013-01)

Founded and lead a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on sustainable agriculture, aquaponics research, and alternative food production systems.

Fire Controlman Third Class (FC3) - United States Navy - USS Simpson (FFG-56)

(2000-01 - 2006-12)

M.S. - Agricultural Economics - University of Arkansas

B.S. - Organizational Management - John Brown University