Wayne Warner started Northwest Food Consultants with a mission to develop an innovative, integrated consulting company providing Process Development, Food Safety Services, and Lean Manufacturing service to the food processing industry. Prior to beginning Northwest Food Consultants, Wayne led operations for a number of large CPG companies as well as conducting his own food processing company for over twenty years. He has also worked with various other organizations in the food service industry including hospitals, retailers, distributors, and governmental agencies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Washington, a Master of Science in Food Processing from the University of Minnesota, and is a Certified Nutritional Consultant with the National Association of Certified Nutrition Advisors (NACN).
Through his food consulting experience, Mr. Warner developed the concept of a food business consulting firm. The idea was to combine his knowledge in the food business with his experience as a restaurant consultant to help food processors and restaurant owners achieve their goals. With a combined vision of providing cost-effective and high-quality food service, he could help restaurant owners improve their menu selection, menu planning, training programs, restaurant supply and inventory management, and promote new menu offerings. In turn, he could help food processors to reduce their overhead, lower their cost of good faith operations, increase profit margins, or expand their customer base by focusing on food processing.
A food consultant provides his knowledge of the food industry and his skill to help others within the food consulting industry meet their food consulting goals. Some of his areas of expertise include food processing optimization, food safety, sustainability, and nutrition. He can provide expert advice based on his food science background and skill. He provides services such as cost comparisons of different food processing strategies, benchmarking, customized food consultation, and business strategy consulting. With his extensive knowledge of the food industry, he is the best person to introduce new and innovative food products to a client.
Food safety is a growing concern for restaurant owners, cookers, managers, and restaurant servers. With improper food handling and food contamination, restaurant budgets can become strained. Many restaurants are required to implement food safety measures due to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, state laws, and personal opinions. Food consultants can help restaurant owners determine their current food handling practices and implement new ones through assessment and evaluation.
Nutrition is an important part of a successful food production environment. It's not enough to have a good menu; food consulting firms also need to offer sound nutritional advice to their clients. Nutrient assessment helps determine how much of a food processing service's product is necessary, how much can be discarded, and the appropriate balance of vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Nutrient assessment is especially important for raw food products, which may contain contaminants that could be harmful to consumers. Good food consulting firms can help restaurant owners and chefs develop menus that offer the right balance of nutritious food choices and promote healthy eating habits.
Another skill, a food consultant might need is marketing skills. Food consulting firms can help their clients market their products. An understanding of advertising tactics might be important, since some forms of advertising, like television advertisements or newspaper ads, might not be appropriate for all businesses. Consultants who understand marketing can help clients create effective marketing campaigns.
Food consulting can be beneficial for professional chefs and food production employees. A food consultant can advise the chef or food production staff on proper meal prep, sanitation methods, and ingredients. In addition, the consultant can advise the restaurant or food service staff on marketing strategies, such as the types of advertisements they should use. Marketing can be an integral part of a successful food service business, especially since more people are trying to eat healthier and stay fit.
Food consulting services can be a very diverse organization, providing a wide range of expertise. Some specialize in certain areas, while others provide a general variety of services. Food consulting professionals can be found in a variety of places, including colleges, specialized training centers, health care facilities, consulting agencies, and hospitals. There are many professional associations, including the Association of Food Consultants and the American Culinary Federation. Food consultants can find jobs in both private and public sector positions. They can even work as an independent consultant or a freelance professional.
