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James Durazzo

Culinary Consultant
Staten Island, New York
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jamesdurazzo.com
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jamesdurazzo@gmail.com
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917.952.0329
Energetic, versatile, and innovative chef with an impressive background directing multifaceted culinary operations, controlling costs, and enhancing quality and guest satisfaction. Savvy, award-winning entrepreneur with exceptional business, hospitality, and financial acumen and strengths in training, budgeting, strategic planning, and business development. Respected leader. Richly diverse culinary repertoire. Calm under pressure.
J
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Work Experience

DURAZZO, LLC

Sole Proprietor, Event Catering and Consulting
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Sep 2012 - Current

Built an event planning, catering, and personal chef business from the ground up. Prepares customized menus, provides delivery services, and coordinates logistics from initial concept to execution for large-scale events with 500+ attendees Works closely with vendors and business associates, and enthusiastically engages with customers to ensure optimal dining experiences.

THE DYNAMITE SHOP

Assistant Teacher / Prep Cook
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Mar 2019 - Sep 2019

Provided culinary instruction to students ages 8-14, including classic culinary techniques, healthy cuisine preparation, food safety and sanitation skills. Provided feedback and encouraged students to experiment with spices and flavors to stimulate creativity and develop palates. Designed recipes, sourced and prepared ingredients, and maintained cleanliness of kitchen and food storage areas.

Folksbier Brauerei

Oct 2017 - Jul 2018

Balanced excellent cooking skills, analytical decision-making, and managerial leadership abilities to create and implement culinary structure and standards for brewery tasting room. Directed all aspects of commissary production, safety, sanitation, event execution, and quality assurance. Managed food sourcing, seasonal menu creation, food prep, storage, cooking, and presentation.

NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Deputy Director of Revenue Budget
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Feb 2016 - Nov 2016

Directed planning and execution of all revenue budget program initiatives, providing oversight on budget administration and revenue disbursement activities. Prepared and submitted comprehensive analytical report for senior leadership review. Provided training and daily direction to staff, monitoring and adjusting workflows to drive efficiency and accuracy. Provided resolution to escalated issues.

NEW YORK CITY OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT & BUDGET

Unit Head, Financial, Personnel Planning, & Budget Publications
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Jun 2004 - Jan 2016

Selected to train and mentor new hires in proper protocols, tasks, and timelines of city central budgeting system. Built reputation as a trusted advisor on a broad range of budgeting and reporting activities. Conducted individual and group coaching with staff to improve individual skills. Provided critical analysis on spending plans, variance, and surplus requirements.

MILE END DELICATESSEN

Line / Prep Cook
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May 2010 - Apr 2011

Gained valuable industry experience in preparing and delivering a high volume of top-quality food orders, working efficiently and calmly while keeping up pace within extremely high-pressure environments.

Education

Wagner College

BS, Business Administration Finance
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Sep 2000 - May 2004

Institute of Culinary Education

Restaurant & Culinary Management Diploma
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Sep 2020 - Apr 2021

Projects

Durazzo and Friends

Founder and Executive Chef
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May 2013 - Sep 2013

Changing menu concept ideation and execution for pop-up outdoor restaurant at Brooklyn's infamous Mister Sunday dance party. Led rotating team of 5-6 trained and untrained hospitality staff to serve hundreds weekly for duration of summer season.

James Beard House Brooklyn Cooks 2010

Cook
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Sep 2010

Worked the line with curated Mile End team for a special one-night only event celebrating some of Brooklyn's most cutting edge chefs (Umi Nom, Meat Hook, Thistle Hill Tavern, etc); part of the Greens series of events at the Beard House, which are geared toward 21-40 something food enthusiasts.

ANIMAL New York

Contributor
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Jul 2012

Mister Sunday Featuring Mile End

Line Cook
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May 2011 - Jul 2011

Served hundreds weekly based on Mile End Jewish cuisine to hundreds of hungry party goers.

Midtown Lunch

Featured Profile
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Sep 2010

Skills

  • NYC Food Handler’s License 2012
  • ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certificate 2020
  • Certificate of Proficiency: Essentials of Italian Cooking, NYC Italian Culinary Academy
  • Food Journaling
  • Technically Savvy