November 26/Nashville/Press Release -- Christie Cookie has created a new position and hired an industry veteran to fill the opening. Tony Schmidt will serve as corporate chef and southeast regional sales manager. Schmidt is a 2002 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. With almost 10 years of business and chef experience, as well as a degree in Hospitality Management and Masters in Business Administration, Schmidt will assist the company in growing its regional and national presence.  

“Tony will play a key role in providing and implementing quality recipes and ideas,” said Jay McKnight, director of Food Services at Christie Cookie. “His wealth of experience and industry knowledge is invaluable and he will be a crucial part of the decision making process at Christie Cookie. We are thrilled Tony has joined our team.”

Prior to working at Christie Cookie, Schmidt served as a southeast corporate regional chef with US Foods as well as culinary specialist manager in its Atlanta branch, where he managed the brands portfolio, the 10-member product specialist team as well as equipment and supplies buyers. Schmidt began his career as assistant sous chef with Marriott International and continued with Marriott in various culinary and food and beverage leadership roles. As an active chef of the culinary community, Schmidt was a guest chef at the 2010 and 2011 Masters Tournament as well as being a mentor and judge for Georgia high school culinary teams. Schmidt is also very involved in the Atlanta Chapter of the American Culinary Federation and a 10-year supporter of the Hospitality Education foundation of Georgia.
               
As corporate chef, Schmidt’s responsibilities will include developing new recipes, oversight of research and development, and panel testing. In his southeast regional sales manager role, his focus will include recruiting, hiring, training, managing and motivating foodservice brokers.