Mark Bakos
Mark Bakos brings a lifetime of hands-on foodservice, hospitality, culinary and management experience into the classroom.
From working in his family’s restaurants as a teenager, to military foodservice, professional kitchens, executive culinary positions, management and higher education, Mark understands the foodservice industry because he has spent his career working in it.
Family Restaurants
→
U.S. Air Force
→
Professional Kitchens
→
Executive Culinary Positions
→
Management
→
Bachelor’s Degree
→
MBA
→
Food Safety Educator
A Lifetime in the Food & Hospitality Industry
Mark’s experience in foodservice began long before it became his profession.
Growing Up in the Food Business
Mark first gained experience in the food business at a young age. While still in high school, he worked in his father’s diner and his mother’s steakhouse.
Those early experiences introduced him to the pace, responsibilities, customer service and hard work involved in operating a foodservice business.
U.S. Air Force — Germany
After high school, Mark joined the United States Air Force, where his foodservice career continued.
While stationed in Germany, he served as a cook and also worked as a cook in the Officers’ Club.
His military foodservice experience helped build a foundation of discipline, organization, consistency and responsibility that continued throughout his hospitality career.
Building Experience From the Ground Up
Mark went on to develop experience throughout virtually every level of a foodservice operation — from entry-level positions to executive culinary leadership and management.
Experience on Both Sides of the Operation
Understanding foodservice from the kitchen to the dining room.
Back of the House
↓
Banquet Chef
↓
Sous Chef
↓
Executive Sous Chef
↓
Executive Chef
Front of the House & Management
↓
Fine-Dining Waiter
↓
Bartender
↓
Manager
Having worked throughout both the front and back of the
house gives Mark a broad understanding of how food safety
affects employees, chefs, servers, supervisors, managers
and business operators.
Career Highlights
Professional hospitality experience from Denver to Los Angeles.
Denver Petroleum Club
While working as an apprentice chef at the Denver Petroleum Club in 1987, Mark had the opportunity to serve at a childhood diabetes fundraiser hosted by Denver oil magnate and 20th Century Fox owner Marvin Davis and his wife.
The event was also filmed in connection with the long-running television series Dynasty.
20th Century Fox
Mark later relocated to Los Angeles, where his hospitality career eventually brought him to 20th Century Fox.
There he served as an Executive Sous Chef during the Rupert Murdoch ownership era.
Mark spent approximately 12 years in Los Angeles before returning to Pennsylvania.
Experience Backed by Education
Decades of practical experience combined with formal hospitality and business education.
Bachelor’s Degree
After returning to Pennsylvania, Mark enrolled in the Hospitality program at Marywood University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree.
Master of Business Administration
Mark continued his education through Regis University in Denver, Colorado, earning his Master of Business Administration (MBA).
What This Experience Means for Students
Food safety training taught from a real-world foodservice perspective.
Real-World Experience
Food safety concepts are connected to situations that employees and managers actually encounter in kitchens, restaurants and foodservice operations.
Clear Explanations
Complicated concepts are explained in practical, understandable terms so students understand both what they need to know and why it matters.
Industry Perspective
Experience as an employee, chef, manager and business professional provides insight into the challenges foodservice managers face every day.
“The goal isn’t simply to memorize information for an exam. Students should understand how food safety principles apply to the operation they manage every day.”
— Mark Bakos
Ready to Get Started?
Learn from an instructor with a lifetime of experience in the food and hospitality industry.
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