Conyers, Ga 30012 & 415-264-0727
Novato, CA 94947 415-892-1925
cgaikens@aol.com
Looking 4 Work or love? you Got laugh
Chef@curtisaikens.net
Smithsonian, Julia Child, Kitchen my Photo along with Others she personal encouraged, hangs. I little of my Story is there as well.
www.curtisaikens.net
Curtis G. Aikens Sr.
| Objective | Be in a position which allow me to help and serve others |
| Education | Master of Education, May 2013
Dominican University of California, San Rafael, CA
BA Liberal Studies,2007 Limestone College, Gaffney, SC
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| Awards Received |
Profile in Excellence award, presented by ABC 7 in San Francisco
Dan Rather, American Heroes, chosen as one of fifty heroes for my work with literacy across the country.
White House Literacy Award Nominee, Barbara Bush, 1993 Recognized for contributions in literacy advocacy in USA
Presenter, House of Parliament, London UK, 2002 Invited by Ken Follett, author, and Barbara Follett, serving member of the House of Parliament, to share literacy journey to Parliament to inspire the funding for new literacy programs in the UK.
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| Work Experience | Assistant Basketball Coach Dominican University
Women’s Team Assistant Manager Woodlands Market Tiburon Ca June 2011 until June 2013 Novato High School, Novato, CA Head Coach of Freshman Baseball Teach baseball techniques, rules, sports etiquette, and fair play Motivate players individually and as part of the team for growth and improvement not only in sports but also in the classroom. I have been self-employed most of my adult life, and built my career as chef, writer (5 published titles), spokesperson and consultant, keynote & motivational speaker. , I am worked with Rochelle Huppin, Founder of Helped Ms. Huppin gain greater national attention (pr), Have written column that ran in the Marin Scope Papers (CA), and Rockdale Neighbor, Rockdale Citezen (GA). Founding Partner of The Market Conyers. While with the Market the focus was on local fresh organic fruits and vegetables, helping farmers and consumers connect. I wrote a monthly newsletter (samples provided on request) and developed community outreach that was of great benefit to local charities and the Market, Summer 2009. |
| Embassy Suite hotel and Spa La Quinta, CA
Food and Beverage Manager/ Executive Chef (transition FB/chef during ownership change). Winter 2008. |
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| 2003-2010 (limited basis) Teach Them To Read Conyers, GA
Consultant to founder
Focusing on Marketing and PR, but also worked closely with the Founder on all aspects of the business. As a former non-reading adult, I am able to bring much to the company that teaches teachers how to teach reading. |
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1993 – 2003 Food Network One of the founding Chefs. In addition to hosting numerous shows such as Food in a Flash, Meals Without Meat, Pick of the Day, From My Garden, and Calling all Cooks, in the early days of the network I would regularly make calls with the Sales Department, playing a large part in getting the network on the air in several cities including Dallas, Tyler, San Antonio and others. Late 1993 to 1995 Cast member of ABC Good Morning America Chef and Fresh Food expert.
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| 1990 to 1993 Cast member ABC Home Show. Chef, produce expert, consumer advocate, and sometimes Host.
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| 1988 and 1993 Founded and operated, Aikens Family Produce, Inc., a family run business.
Wholesale we supplied restaurants, small groceries and fruit stands in the Atlanta Metro Area, based in my hometown Conyers.
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| Late 1989 Opened Aikens Family Produce Retail. I was a resource for Chefs, home cooks and educators in Conyers, and was among the first to offer certified organic, gourmet coffees teas and other such items. The locals loved not having to travel into Atlanta to shop. During this time, I started my writing, a weekly column in the Rockdale Citizen Fresh and Sweet, a forerunner to the columns I write today. I started my television career with WXIA-Atlanta. By the time I appeared on ABC’s HOME Show, I was making regular appearances on 13 shows throughout the Southeast, and had published my first book with Peachtree Publishers, Atlanta Ga., Curtis Aikens Guide to the Harvest.
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| 1986 to 1988
New York, Work for Baldacci’s, Gourmet Market, headed the specialty foods department. Dom’s Wholesale Gourmet, headed their specialty sales.
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Volunteer Experience |
1981 to 1986 San Francisco Bay Area
My first company named Peaches Produce, which supplied restaurants from San Francisco to as far north as Fort Bragg! Before closing to move to New York, at the height of this business I had 10 employees. As a motivational speaker, I work with various groups across the country trying to motivate and inspire them to give and do more in several areas such as 1) Illiteracy – as a former non-reading adult I am able to relate to kids and grownups struggling to overcome illiteracy. I share my personal life story, letting each person or group I speak with know if I can learn to read and write books, columns, host TV shows, become a Chef, go back to college and earn my degree, anybody can. To quote myself, “and you are not just anybody…you are somebody special, and when you feel things are too hard, just remember Curtis learned to read, I can too.”
School Fuel, local sports clubs. I set aside time each year to do fundraisers.
No-shenanigans – Nathan Bloom Memorial Golf Tournament. I serve and MC, and offer my services as Chef to a group of high bidders and prepare a gourmet meal for12. Funds raised go to melanoma research. Giving back is a large part of who I am. 10% of the royalties from my book is donated to reading programs. At interview, would be proud to explain why.
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| Interests & Activities | World affairs, education and friends. In addition, I love movies, books, and yes, TV, having made my living in this medium for years I will never knock it. If not for television, I may never have learned to read. I love golfing, hiking, bike riding, gardening, the outdoors and
YOGA |
| Languages |
English, Norwegian (a bit rusty now but I could still get around Oslo), some Spanish |
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| Hobbies | Photography, reading, writing/blog&poetry, driving I have driven across the USA more that 80 times. I enjoy hearing and sharing stories. Youtuber channel Curtis Aikens |
| References |
Stacey Antine, www.healthbarnusa.co Rochelle Huppin, www.chefwear.com Alan Reid, reidland@rcn.com Jeffrey Siegel jeffs@ml-seven.com Michael Howard mbhoward01@yahoo.com
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Guide to The Harvest
NOW AVAILABLE!
[click here to purchase]
