Tabletop Solutions, Inc. is a multi-disciplinary firm that specializes in providing comprehensive food service management services for colleges and universities.
We understand the impact of the food service program on the quality of life for students, and how it influences students’ decisions to voluntarily purchase meal plans, live on campus and even stay in school. Those decisions have a substantial impact on the dining program’s profitability and the school’s financial well being. We feel passionately that the needs of the stakeholders must be heard and that dining programs be developed to meet those needs. To that end we work tirelessly to understand and meet the needs of the school’s students and administration.
Deliverables:
Metrics management: Each college and university has its own culture and specific needs. By working in partnership with the stakeholders,
Tabletop Solutions designs each request for proposal to meet or exceed the objectives set forth in the institution’s strategic plan.
We use our vast experience to collect metrics through observation and measure the project success through stakeholder satisfaction.
We employ project management measures to perform detailed financial analysis of the accuracy of the contractors’ bid estimates and financials.
RFP preparation: For colleges and universities that are contemplating outsourcing any aspect of their food service operations, or for those schools that have currently outsourced food service operations, Tabletop Solutions, Inc. works closely with the institution to guide the development of the critical criteria for a Request for Proposal. We start with a detailed needs assessment and an understanding of the
current organizational resources and campus culture. We draft the RFP and submit it to the institution for approval and circulation. As the process moves forward, we are present at pre-bid meetings and are available to respond to contractor inquires.
Contract Development: The operational standards to which we hold the contractors, including minimum food grades and staffing requirements, are set forth in a model contract that is made part of the RFP. This enables the school to move from award to contract execution quickly, ensures all companies are bidding on the same criteria and minimizes the need for lengthy negotiations.
Bid Analysis: After reviewing all bids, we prepare written quantitative analyses evaluating the contractor’s proposals and offer our recommendations based upon our understanding of the school’s particular needs and the capabilities of the responding contractors.
Contract Negotiation: Tabletop Solutions, Inc. has the expertise and experience to handle contract negotiations as the agent for the school or to serve on the negotiation committee designated by the College or University.
Contract Management: Once the contract is in place Tabletop Solutions, Inc. has efficient, quantifiable audit procedures to assure the contractor is compliant with the contract.
Operational Analysis: Tabletop Solutions, Inc. can provide its clients ongoing operational analysis including such diverse activities as mystery shopper tests, assessing the strengths and abilities of the contractor’s management and staff, reviewing production and ordering procedures and record keeping. Identified recommendations for improvements are immediately reported to the institution.
WBE Certified: Tabletop Solutions, Inc. is a certified Woman Owned Business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Our Team of Professional Support:
Elizabeth Sallade-Farina – President of Tabletop Solutions, Inc. “Betsy” has extensive background in University food service operations receiving her degree from Michigan State University and attending culinary school at le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Betsy’s knowledge of both front and back of the house operations and the issues inherent to each of them is an enormous asset when helping Universities do an operation needs assessment. Starting her career with a contract dining services company, managing an exclusive private club and serving as the food service Director of a major university serving over eighteen thousand meals per day, Betsy is able to speak knowledgably on all facets of the industry.
Pauline Hruska – experienced marketing consultant with international and domestic fortune 1000 companies. Pauline is an account
manager and marketing and PR strategist working with clients to develop and execute sales, branding, marketing and communication strategies.
Linda Geren – an industry leader in developing successful dining service experiences for both students and administrators. Her concepts and designs have won national awards while keeping her clients on track and on budget. Linda’s extensive background in catering enables her to evaluate both the catering team and facilities to make appropriate changes to meet client needs. Linda is a certified Serve Safe instructor with the National Restaurant Association and has worked closely with clients to achieve and maintain successful scores in food and facilities inspections.
In addition to handling operational analysis and development, Linda can provide professional training to colleges and universities seeking a
more holistic approach to meeting their student dining expectations. One of the first to implement green initiatives in a college setting resulting in improved student satisfaction, Linda was invited to serve on the advisory council to North East Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, a division of the USDA, where she serves a four year term appointment. As a sustainable farmer Linda has seen both sides of the farm to plate initiative and is experienced in resolving supply management issues while establishing realistic expectations for all concerned parties. She was selected as a USA delegate to Terra Madre, the international Slow Food sustainability conference in held in Torino, Italy.
In 2011 Linda was invited to the White House to attend Michelle Obama’s kick off campaign to fight childhood obesity.
Joseph Farina – practicing attorney in Pennsylvania, Joe will review all proposed contracts before they are submitted to the college’s office of general counsel. Joe has been practicing law in Pennsylvania for 32 years and has experience in negotiating, drafting and interpreting collective bargaining agreements, construction contracts, contracts for the sale of goods and services, commercial leases, corporate buy/sell agreements, among others.
For further information contact:
Betsy Sallade-Farina
President
Phone: 1.877.494.3998
Fax: 412.291.1215
E-mail: betsy@tabletopsolutions.com