Michael R. Weldon, Culinary Director, Gourmet Programs
With a background that includes hotels, restaurants, corporations, food service management, and experience gained from working alongside some of the most renowned names in the culinary world, Michael Weldon is uniquely positioned to meet the challenges provided by a groundbreaking organization like Freshology.
Most recently serving as the Chef and Kitchen Manager for uWink Bistro in Woodland hills, Chef Weldon's responsibilities ranged from recipe development and execution, to ordering, scheduling and budgeting, to staff training and the development of far-sighted safety policies for the establishment. Through his efforts as the restaurant's opening chef, uWink... [Uwink is a revolutionary new concept in dining and entertainment, featuring touch screen ordering and upscale casual dining. With a new location opening at Hollywood and highland.] Prior to his work at uWink, Chef Weldon provided similar services as Executive sous chef and kitchen manager for Maggiano's Little Italy, joining the restaurant's staff prior to its opening at the historic Los Angeles Farmer's Market in 2004.
Chef Weldon received the equivalent of a Master’s-level education in corporate and hotel food service through his work with industry giant The Compass Group, working as an executive chef in the company’s Eurest Dining Services Division. In his first assignment at the Nestle Corporate Headquarters in Glendale, California, Weldon supervised a staff of thirty employees in running the company’s executive dining center, providing food services to up to 1,800 Nestle employees, while simultaneously overseeing first-class catering and private dining experiences for top Nestle executives and VIPs. Following his tenure with Nestle, Weldon had the opportunity to work with legendary restauranteur Joachim Spilchal of The Patina Group, opening the full-service C2 Café and Kitchen, servicing the demanding business and industry clientele of Century City, California.
Chef Weldon’s work with Joachim Spilchal is only the most recent of his collaborations with some of the great creative craftsmen of the culinary world. Over the first half of his career in the kitchen, Michael learned his trade at the side of such acclaimed chefs as Wolfgang Puck (Obachine), Johnny Ferno (Cienega) Alain Giraud (Lavande) Neal Fraser(Grace) Donnie Masterson and Frank Falcinelli (Moomba). The foundation of his career was set in place by a nearly three-year apprenticeship at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where he was trained by Michelin Star Chefs in all aspects of fine dining service.
Michael received his degree in Culinary Arts in 1995 from The California Culinary Academy in San Francisco. Fluent in English, Greek and Spanish, he has gained notice not only for his exemplary kitchen skills, but for his numerous appearances in magazines and on broadcast and cable television. Since 2006, Chef Weldon has been proud to place his talent and passion for food in the service of Fresh Dining, serving as the organization’s Executive Chef.
Chef Mike has two beautiful daughters and is happily married to his amazing wife Kristin. Additionally Chef Mike is a huge USC football fan and an avid tennis player.
Chef Mike loves Spain and all it has to offer including tennis star Rafael Nadal and Chef Ferran Adria'.
Chef Mike recently got to meet his Chef idol Ferran Adria' on his most recent visit to Los Angeles.
Chef Mike believes Faith, Family and Food make for a blessed and fulfilling life.
FRESHFACT: Winter squash (Butternut, Pumpkin, Acorn) has huge amounts of vitamin C and beta-carotene, which may help protect against endometrial cancer.
The Freshology Team
- Todd DeMann, Founder and CEO
- As one of the leading managers and entrepreneurs in Southern California’s competitive hospitality and lifestyle sectors, Todd DeMann’s passion for innovation and excellence has been the guiding spirit behind both Fresh Dining and his several prior successful endeavors.
read more > - Bruce Knight, COO
- With over twenty years of experience in the food and beverage industry, Bruce Knight knows precisely what it takes to operate a top-notch food service organization. read more >
- Rana Mansour, VP of Operations
- Bringing a unique blend of health care expertise, operations experience and communications skills to every project she oversees, Rana Mansour stands as an exemplar of the contemporary management professional, demonstrating a range of talents and perspectives as accomplished as it is diverse. read more >
- Michael Weldon, Culinary Director, Gourmet Programs
- With a background that includes hotels, restaurants, corporations, food service management, and experience gained from working alongside some of the most renowned names in the culinary world, Michael Weldon is uniquely positioned to meet the challenges provided by a groundbreaking organization like Fresh Dining. read more >
- Raffi J. Asadourian, Culinary Director, National Programs
- As one of the most highly-regarded chefs to emerge from the Los Angeles culinary scene over the last decade, Raffi Asadourian brings a combination of rigorous training, farsighted leadership and an impeccable palate to the position of Chef de Cuisine at Fresh Dining. read more >
- Rito Vital, Culinary Director, Special Programs
- From his roots in the rich culinary traditions of his native Mexico to his experience at the upper reaches of the Los Angeles restaurant and catering industry, Rito Vital's extraordinary range of influences shapes his unique contributions as Culinary Director of Specials at Freshology. read more >
Advisory Board
- David Kramer
- David Kramer has consistently been a top producing agent representing Buyers and Sellers of major estates and unique properties throughout the Westside for 20 years. His expertise and talent have made him a recognized leader in the real estate industry. read more >
- Karl Hingel
- freshdining™ has retained the advisory services of Karl Hingel for the purpose of assembling, examining, evaluating and documenting the fresh business processes and procedures. read more >
- John P. Roberts, Senior Vice President, Interactive & Digital Media, GSN
- The visionary behind the launch of GSN’s groundbreaking interactive television services, John P. Roberts, GSN’s Senior Vice President, Interactive and Digital Media is recognized throughout the industry as an iTV pioneer. read more >
Fresh Experts
- Nicholas J. Yphantides MD, MPH
- Noted author (My Big Fat Greek Diet), consultant, speaker, healthcare executive and family practice physician and and community advocate. read more >
- Dr. Farid Zarif, Director, Nutrition/Dietetics
- Dr. Farid Zarif, MPH, ND, PhD, resident Nutritionist and Director, Nutrition and Dietetics at Fresh Dining™, Burbank, California, is the founder The Zarifian Method©. read more >
- Edward Jackowski, Ph.D.
- Fitness innovator, author and motivational speaker, Edward Jackowski, Ph.D. holds his B.B.A. from Baruch Business College and his Masters and Doctorate in Behavioral Management from International University for Graduate Studies. read more >
- Dr. Kelly E. Williams, MD
- Dr. Kelly E. Williams earned her medical degree from University of California and completed her residency at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Dr. Kelly E. Williams is currently practicing in Laguna Hills. read more >
- Dr. Charles L. Blum, DC
- Dr. Blum is a chiropractor practicing in Santa Monica, California since 1981 treating women during their pregnancy as well as children. read more >
- Dr. Walker Ozar, DC
- Dr. Ozar started his practice at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Two years later, he founded Beverly Hills Posture and Rehabilitation Institute. read more >
- Dr. Nicole Williams-Alexander, MD
- Dr. Nicole Williams-Alexander earned her medical degree from Howard College of Medicine and completed her residency at UCLA in Family Medicine. read more >