Stephen Timmons

Dynamic culinary professional with a proven track record in leadership, operations, and business development. Extensive experience in creating memorable dining experiences, building and mentoring high-performing teams, and driving consistent growth through strategic planning and operational excellence. Adept at crafting innovative solutions to elevate guest satisfaction while maintaining cost efficiency.

Passionate about food's ability to foster connections, inspire creativity, and drive business success

EXPERIENCE

RH Palo Alto – Palo Alto, CA

Sous Chef

October 2024 – February 2025

• Cultivated, trained, and led a team to create memorable dining experiences, enhancing the guest experience and operational efficiency.
• Implemented proper training programs, sharing expertise and guidance to develop team members' skills and confidence.
• Contributed to consistent month-over-month business growth by elevating standards, streamlining processes, and fostering a collaborative team culture.
• Focused on ensuring high-quality food preparation while maintaining cost efficiency to align with business goals.

Steve’s Pies – (Bay Area)

Founder & Head Baker

December 2023 – Present

• Founded a gourmet pie delivery business to provide a premium product not readily available in the local area.
• Served over 300 individual clients across the Bay Area, developing relationships over a 3-month period.
• Developed and self-built the website (stevespies.shop) for seamless ordering, achieving an average customer rating of 4.95.
• Featured in the Marin Independent Journal for exceptional taste and service.

Stephen Timmons Catering – (Bay Area)

Founder & Head Chef

June 2017 – November 2023

• Founded a gourmet private catering business delivering Michelin-star-quality experiences in the comfort of clients’ homes or at bespoke private events.
• Grew the business to serve over 200 private and corporate clients within two years.
• Managed end-to-end hiring processes, sourcing local culinary talent, and creating training programs for seamless onboarding.
• Negotiated pricing with clients, balancing food and labor costs to deliver tailored menus and exceptional experiences.
• Designed bespoke menus for clients based on their unique preferences and event requirements.

Alinea – Chicago, IL

Chef de Partie

June 2017 – April 2018

• Ensured meticulous execution of brand-aligned experiences with an unwavering focus on detail and precision.
• Co-created the innovative and viral "transparent pumpkin pie" dish featured in news articles and social media.
• Supervised recipes and prep work completed by junior chefs, mentoring and contributing to their development.
• Maintained seamless communication between front and back of house teams for flawless operations.

EDUCATION The Art Institute of Illinois

Bachelor of Arts, Culinary Arts

2013 – 2017