Lexington Independents

CHEF SPOTLIGHT...Meet Executive Chef RYAN SILER who provides his culinary expertise as the food service director at Parklane Academy, a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. Chef is pictured here with his new foods tasting for the administration and school board directors. Chef Ryan received many culinary awards from a best entrée in the Mississippi Wine and Fork to the 2016 Signature Chefs Auction for the March of Dimes!?Chef received his culinary degree through Community Engagement Center courses at the The University of New Mexico. Some of his innovative culinary specialties include street tacos offered on the global fair station to braised chicken thighs with New Mexico hatch chilies, topped with cilantro Spanish onions jalapenos and queso fresca served with limes. “This is a hectic profession when you can keep your head and thought processes solid in chaos -- that’s when you can become a true leader. Respect is earned and is not easily given. Support your people and you’ll find you can always count on them." ?We are grateful for Chef’s culinary leadership and dedication to the students, faculty and to the many guests who enjoy his fabulous culinary creations! #culinary #chef #independentschools #studentexperiences #foodexperiences

A Pirates of the Caribbean Beach Bash Celebration at the Collegiate School where more than 1,000 5th-12th grade students enjoyed a Caribbean-style feast featuring Caribbean jerk chicken wings, pizza and a traditional Hummingbird cake freshly baked onsite (a banana-pineapple spice cake originating in Jamaica) Treasure chest packages were filled with toys, stickers and other garb to dress like a pirate!? A shout out to Executive Chef Joel Shapiro, Food Service Director Myra Edwards, Distrtict Manager Kristina Coble, along with marketing support from Regional Marketing Manager Lori Workmaster and District Marketing Manager Sydney Pargeon. #caribbean #beachbash #independentschools #studentexperience #diningexperience #specialevents #executivechef #backtoschool

It’s National Food Service Workers Day!?Thank you to our team members who always serve our students with a “smile."??Miss Barbara, Miss Ivey and Jerome of Ums-Wright Preparatory School are "awesome" - pictured here for preparing and serving 80 bacon cheeseburgers and 10 cheeseburger pizzas to celebrate National Cheeseburger Day…the promotion significantly increased burger sales for one of the most beloved comfort foods! #Nationalfoodserviceworkersday #independentschools #cheeseburgers #foodpromotions #studentexperiences #foodexperiences

Exceeding our client’s expectations!?Congratulations to our culinary team at Abington Friends School…as their new dining partner, we catered the back-to-school picnic…with ease! In fact, the original count from 1,200 increased to 1,300 the day before the event!??Our team did not flinch! Vice President of Operations Todd Hickman was so proud to state the following: "District Manager Kristina Coble and Hannah Myers, operations support manager, worked for weeks to plan and organize this event down to the smallest detail. Every time I raised a question about a specific concern, it had already been addressed.?I am so proud of their dedication and hard work.?The culinary team was absolutely amazing! When Chef John was made aware of this event and the gravity of the event, he immediately adjusted his team’s schedule to make them available. We want to personally thank Chef John Rifkin, director of culinary; Chef Eric Pearce, corporate chef; Chris Caracciolo, corporate chef; Chef Sandra Ecahvez, district chef for The City University of New York; and Chef Cory Sanville, corporate chef, for their tireless efforts to make this a successful dining experience! A shout out to Lori Workmaster, regional marketing manager and Nicole Short, regional dietitian, for their support. They were a huge asset to our success opening week. Thank you to all! #cateringexpertise #teamwork #diningexperience #executivechef #culinary #independentschools #picnic #largescalecatering

Welcome back to school with our first culinary partnership in suburban Philadelphia…! Lexington Independents is proud to welcome students back to class at Abington Friends School, a Quaker Pre-K through 12th?grade independent school in Jenkintown, PA. Lexington rebranded the dining hall. seen here, focused completely on the student and food experience for breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon snacks. "Lexington understands?our community, and designed a food service program that complements our holistic approach to the development of our students, nurturing?their?intellect, physical and emotional wellbeing—while also making food fun!" says Martha Scache, Abington Friends School Director of Business and Operations. “We look forward to enhancing the amazing reputation Abington Friends School provides to the greater Philadelphia area,” says?Candace Hogan, Managing Director of Growth for Lexington Independents.?Thank you, team, for creating a fun-filled day with delicious food! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ed-8wHJ6 #backtoschool #excitingpartnerships #culinary #privateschools #independentschools #funwithfood #celebrations

Congratulations to?Todd Hickman?who was recently promoted to Regional Vice President of Operations for Lexington Independents!?Todd brings over?31 years of experience in the food service industry and most recently served as a Senior District Manager for sister brand Aladdin Campus Dining.?Todd has a passion for developing people and creating lasting partnerships with our clients through transparent communication and delivering on promises. “I want to look our clients in the eye and know that what I say means something. We will earn their loyalty through consistency and honesty,” shared Todd who is pictured here with our incredible catering team during the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools held earlier this summer!?From left to right are Chef John Hale, Hinds Community College; Todd Hickman; Chef Rhodine Davis, UMS-Wright Prep School; Chef Catherine Stewart; Jackson Academy; District Manager Michael Miller; Nicole Mannan, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; Regional Executive Chef Chris Caracciolo; Regional Operations Manager Edmond LeDoux; Chef Byron Martin, Jackson Preparatory School and Chef Ryan Siler, Parklane Academy.? #independentschools #culinary #executivechefs #teamwork #lastingpartnerships #deliveringonpromises #backtoschool

Lexington Independents is proud to announce our culinary management partnership with Presbyterian Christian School (PCS), an independent K3-12 Christian school in Hattiesburg, MS. “PCS desires to provide a strong dining program that enhances the overall student experience at PCS, so a partnership with Lexington, a food service specialist known for their high-quality and elevating dining experiences, was the ideal choice,” said Jimmy Messer, Head of School. Read more about our exciting, new partnership here in Lexington news: https://lnkd.in/ep4u9pDN #independentschools #diningexperience #culinary #foodservicespecialists #partnership #backtoschool

Lexington Independents Celebrates National Culinary Arts Month! Meet Food Service Director and Executive Chef Rhodine Davis, who manages and prepares exciting menus with high-quality food and fresh ingredients for breakfast and lunch at Ums-Wright Preparatory School.??Chef Rhodine was honored to be a member of the Lexington catering team that showcased their culinary talents serving 300 attendees’ breakfast and lunch during the MidSouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) conference held earlier this summer whereby administrators and heads of school are able to network with exceptional chefs like Rhodine pictured here! Learn more about Chef Rhodine and how to prepare the Tomahawk Steak recipe here: https://lnkd.in/e4DA_sCG #nationalculinaryartsmonth #tomahawksteak #culinary #executivechef #exceptionalchefs #independentschools #studentexperience #foodexperience

Proud to announce our first culinary management partnership in suburban Philadelphia with Abington Friends School, a Quaker Pre-K through 12th grade independent school in Jenkintown, PA! According to Martha Scache, Abington Friends School Director of Business and Operations, “We’re thrilled to partner with Lexington. ?The strength of their team, attention to detail and food quality, and their experience as food specialists for some of the nation’s top private independent schools were primary drivers in our decision.?They understand?our community, and designed a food service program that complements our holistic approach to the development of our students, nurturing?their?intellect, physical and emotional wellbeing—while also making food fun!” Read more in the news release here https://lnkd.in/ed-8wHJ6 #k12 #foodexperience #students #detail #holisticapproach #nuturing #foodfun

15 Years Going Strong! Once again, Lexington Independents was honored to be the title sponsor of the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) conference held on May 28-30 in Orange Beach, AL.? MAIS is a consortium of 120 independent schools, including schools in Mississippi, Tennesse, Louisiana and Arkansas, whereby participating in the conference, administrators and heads of school are able to network with high-quality organizations such as Lexington! Great job to our team that showcased culinary at its finest serving 300 attendees' breakfast and lunch during this fabulous two-day event!?Requiring months of planning, MAIS is a tremendous undertaking for our team, when our closest school is over 60 miles away.?The team must bring everything with them - from food, ingredients, to cookware and utensils. Again, many thanks to members of the?Lexington and Aladdin?teams who planned, assisted and executed, creating a fantastic and memorable event! (pictured from left to right): Chef John Hale, Hinds Community College; District Manager Todd Hickman; Chef Rhodine Davis, UMS-Wright Prep School; Chef Catherine Stewart; Jackson Academy; District Manager Michael Miller; Nicole Mannan, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; Regional Executive Chef Chris Caracciolo; Regional Operations Manager Edmond LeDoux; Chef Byron Martin, Jackson Preparatory School and Chef Ryan Siler, Parklane Academy. Special shout out to Amy Ahlum, regional marketing manager, for her valuable assistance. #independentschools #culinaryexperience #students #executivechef #cateringexcellence #specialevent #team