PATRICK THOMAS

Mr. Thomas is strategic associate of R&R, responsible for company wide food and beverage operations.

Chef Patrick started his ascent to becoming a leading food service professional in 1974 at the early age of 15. After an auspicious start, Chef Patrick proceeded to hold a broad cross section of food preparation jobs, ultimately rising to assistant kitchen manager at the first Brannigan eatery.

In 1984 he achieved one of his life goals by becoming Executive Chef at the Marriott Hotel in Oklahoma City. During his time with Marriott Chef Patrick became an integral member of Marriott’s Task Force. The Task Force was made up of a team of hand picked professionals who acted as quality inspectors and certified trainers for Marriott. During these assignments he oversaw intern training, set up fine dining restaurants and worked on rejuvenating Chef performance at such Marriott flagships hotels as the New York Marriott Marquis and the Palm Desert Marriott. It was during this time frame Chef Patrick was sent to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA) to help coordinate all Marriott related culinary training being conducted by the CIA, and, became a member of Marriott’s Western Region Culinary Council.

Chef Patrick exploded onto the Las Vegas food scene in 1986, working as Corporate Chef for the Boyd Gaming Group and Stations Casinos. During this time he oversaw the operating standards for dozens of restaurants that generated over $220 million in annual food & beverage sales.

After many years serving large corporations, Chef Patrick decided to explore career opportunities outside the formal structure of corporate employment and started Chef Direct 2U, a consortium of highly trained culinary professionals who problem solve for hotels, restaurants, and institutions. Chef Direct 2U has helped a wide assortment of clients solve all manner of food service problems and is highly respected for their ability to quickly turn around troubled food service businesses.

In 2002 Chef Patrick and Chef Direct 2U formed a strategic alliance with R&R Hotel Group. Together, Chef Direct 2U and R&R, are rapidly advancing into a number of exciting business ventures that cover everything from military base conversions to vocational culinary training academies.

Chef Patrick’s education, awards and honors include, Alumni/ Continuing Education/ CIA (Culinary Institute of America, Winner Best Show Las Vegas Culinary Capers, Marriott Certified Trainer, Certified Serve/Safe and HACCP Trainer, Graduate Oklahoma State University Sanitation and Nutrition Continuing Education Program, Chef of the Year – Restaurateur Magazine, Marriott Western Region Safety Award of the Year, Board of Directors - Marriott Western Region Culinary Council and Internship Cluster Trainer.