Dean Wharren

As a highly motivated and experienced senior Manager, I bring a strong background in event planning, food service operations, and team leadership. With a proven track record of delivering high-quality catering services for corporate functions, weddings, and large-scale events, I thrive in dynamic environments where attention to detail and customer satisfaction are paramount.

I pride myself in working closely with my staff and have a firm belief that their personal development and growth needs to be a priority of mine to ensure their success in their careers.

With over 29 years of hands-on experience in the catering and hospitality industry, I have developed a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully manage high-quality catering services and deliver exceptional customer and client experiences. My career has included managing catering operations for a wide variety of events, from small executive functions to large-scale corporate and public gatherings, where I consistently ensured flawless execution, exceptional food standards, and strong team leadership by working side by side with my team

I have a firm belief that I cannot instruct an employee to perform a task if I don’t know how to do it myself, this also allows a platform for me to perform on job training to the individuals who might need assistance in their duties

One of my strengths also relates to the full understanding of the South African labour relations act and have been involved in many hearings as a chairperson as well as attending arbitration at the CCMA when needed.

In addition to my extensive catering background, I also launched and successfully run my own restaurant, The Library Food Club. This experience significantly expanded my understanding of the food and beverage industry from a business ownership perspective — from daily operations and customer service to financial management, marketing, and long-term strategic planning. Running a restaurant deepened my insight into quality control, staff training, and building a loyal customer base, further strengthening my ability to lead and grow within the hospitality sector. Unfortunately this has also led to a 98 hour work week over the past two years leading to me looking for alternative path in my career, as per request from those closest to me.  

I take great pride in my ability to remain calm under pressure, lead by example, and deliver consistently high standards, regardless of the environment or event size. My passion for food, service, and operational excellence drives me to continually improve and exceed expectations.

This CV outlines my professional journey, key achievements, and the skills that make me a valuable asset to any food service or hospitality operation. I welcome the opportunity to bring my experience, creativity, and leadership to your team.

Experienced senior Manager in all aspects of the Food Service Industry for over 29 years

International diploma