Chef and business owner Yianni Arhontoulis knows what it’s like to live in the shoes of an entrepreneur and wear many hats. An experienced leader in the hospitality industry, Yianni has grappled with sales, marketing, recruiting, training, financials, operations, systems, strategy – and food. In his role as a Cultivate Advisor, he enjoys helping ambitious owners set goals, overcome challenges, create a scalable platform, and grow their businesses.
After earning a degree in Hospitality Administration and Management in Culinary Arts, Yianni worked as Executive Chef and Culinary Director for a high-end dining establishment. While innovating menus, techniques, and recipes, he increased local farm product use from 10% to 85% in each dining outlet. He also led teams, collaborated with clients, and managed large weddings, corporate retreats, and charity galas.
Next, Yianni refined his leadership and team-building skills in the fast-paced atmosphere of a successful restaurant chain. Leading a dynamic team of twenty with empowerment and positive reinforcement, Yianni scaled operations from one to three locations. He went on to own and operate a fine dining establishment in Philadelphia that focused on multi-course and weekly changing menus. After rebranding the company to fit a changing local audience, he added an additional catering company that focused on lavish house parties and cooking classes.
