If you’ve seen Hamilton, or even if you haven’t, one of the most memorable lines is, “I want to be in the room where it happens.” Too often, chefs are not in that room. Sometimes it’s because they’re not invited, but I suggest it’s often because they find reasons not to be. As artists and…
About The Author
J. Kevin Walker, CMC, AAC
Kevin Walker, CMC, is the President of The American Master Chefs Order. He previously held the position of Executive Chef at Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. His past roles include Director of Clubhouse Operations at Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, North Carolina, and Executive Chef at the Vintage Club in Indian Wells, California. Walker earned the prestigious Certified Master Chef (CMC) designation in 2002 while working at Greenville Country Club. In addition to his current presidency, he also serves as a Co-Coordinator for the Chef to Chef Conference.
Nurturing Harmony: The Crucial Link Between Kitchen Stewarding and Member Dining Experience
J. Kevin Walker, CMC, highlights the critical importance of recognizing and supporting kitchen stewarding staff to improve operations and the dining experience.
A Master Chef Reflects on a Fractured Chef-Manager Relationship
In this reflective piece, J. Kevin Walker, CMC, recounts his failure to foster this critical relationship and shares insights on how to mend the partnership.
The Unseen Influence of Kitchen Morale on Member Dining
Kevin Walker, CMC, delves into the pivotal role of kitchen morale in shaping dining experiences, influencing chefs’ creativity, fostering collaboration, and contributing to the overall success of a club culinary program.
J. Kevin Walker, CMC, Offers Advice on Gaining Approval for Chef to Chef
An ACF-Certified Master Chef shares tips on securing managerial approval for attending Chef to Chef in Austin.
J. Kevin Walker, CMC, AAC, Invites You to Attend Chef to Chef 2023
Join us at the 2023 Chef to Chef Conference, March 5-7 in Miami.
How Ansley GC Continues to Find Its Way Through COVID-19 Challenges
Kevin Walker, CMC, Executive Chef of Ansley Golf Club, is charting a way forward for himself and the culinary program through the holidays and beyond.
Kevin Walker, CMC, On the Difference Between a Cook and a Chef
I started cooking at age of 15 in Mom & Pop operations, though I consider my professional career to have started when I began working at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix at age 20. I was hired there as a banquet prep cook and had been working for about a month when we received a…
Ansley GC’s Kevin Walker, CMC, Waits On COVID-19 Test Results
Kevin Walker, CMC, Executive Chef of Ansley GC, was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. This is his story of waiting for his results.
Reopening
Ansley GC’s Executive Chef Kevin Walker, CMC, says the silver lining in COVID-19 closures is that clubs have more time to get their reopening right.
Leadership Is Your Ability to Hide Your Panic from Others
Ansley GC’s Executive Chef Kevin Walker, CMC, says the keys to successful leadership, especially in times of crisis, are managing stress and hiding panic.
Important Considerations Before a Kitchen Renovation
Ansley GC’s Executive Chef Kevin Walker, CMC, says the success of a renovation project is directly attributed to the planning of these elements.
Time to Consider How SOPs Will Change In the Wake of COVID-19
Ansley Golf Club’s Executive Chef Kevin Walker, CMC, poses sanitation questions for “The New Normal.”
COVID-19: Ansley Golf Club Shares Plans on How It’s Weathering the Storm
Kevin Walker, CMC, Executive Chef of Ansley Golf Club, shares how his club has handled operations as COVID-19 has many clubs and communities going into various stages of lockdown.