Based in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York, Chris Follari is a seasoned culinary restaurant consultant who partners with local restaurants, foodservice companies, and equipment manufacturers to craft menus that are seasonally inspired and sustainably driven.

With specialties spanning airline lounges and restaurants, campus dining, business and industry operations, and retail specialty food concepts, Chris brings decades of experience helping organizations elevate their culinary programs and guest experiences.

Beyond his consulting work, Chris is deeply committed to community impact. He donates his time to community-based kitchens that provide job training and support to adults facing high barriers to employment — including individuals impacted by the justice system, those experiencing homelessness, and people in recovery.

Chris also serves as Event Director for the Hudson Valley Chefs Celebrate Jacques, a fundraising initiative supporting the Jacques Pépin Foundation, as part of the 90/90 Celebrate Jacques series — 90 events for 90 years happening nationwide.

Previously, Chris held senior culinary leadership roles with global organizations such as SSP America, Guckenheimer, and Sodexo, where he served as Global Director of Culinary. In this capacity, he collaborated with teams across Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Nordics, and Australia, shaping international menus and culinary strategies.

A lifelong student of global cuisine, Chris has traveled extensively through Europe, the Middle East, China, Latin America, and across the United States, researching and celebrating culinary traditions around the world.

Chris’s love of food began at an early age, growing up in a home where seasonal celebrations and gathering around the table were central to everyday life — a passion that continues to inspire his work and philosophy today.