Turon Cummings

Details

Director of Dining Services (Chartwells), Loop Campus, DePaul University
Chicago,
Age: 30
Education: Associate degree in culinary arts from Robert Morris University, Chicago
Years at organization: 6

Why Selected?

James Lee, director of operations for Chartwells at DePaul University, says: Turon raised his unit’s check average by 14% over the prior year by introducing new concepts that coincided with trending items in our industry, such as a Burgers Your Way concept, an Asian bar and encouraging customers to use salad bar items to create made-to-order entrées. Turon also boosted employee morale by being a team player. He works the line side by side with the employees, which has gained him invaluable respect.

Get to know

Q. What has been your proudest accomplishment?

Being promoted to managing my own unit. I wanted a challenge to help prepare me for the next level of my career. I love working with people and rebuilding teams. I worked at our Lincoln Park campus for three and a half years as an assistant director prior to my promotion.

Q. What would you say you excel at over more seasoned colleagues?

My enthusiasm, passion and ability to relate with various types of people.

Q. What's the best career advice you've been given?

Treat others as you want to be treated. You never know who you might need one day. 

Q. What's been the biggest challenge you've had to overcome?

Understanding that there are always going to be certain things that are out of your control. I learned that it doesn’t matter how big the hurdle is or who tries to stand in your way, it’s how hard you work to stay strong to get through it and learn from it.

Q. What's been your most rewarding moment?

Having our team win first place in one of our Be-A-Star company programs, which recognizes the best preservice meetings.

Q. What would you like to accomplish in your career in the next two years?

I would like to continue to learn the business more so that I can progress within the foodservice industry.

Q. What's been your funniest on-the-job disaster?

Once I didn’t order enough hamburger buns because I thought we could make it through the night shift, but we ran out. I had to run to Dominicks in the pouring rain to buy more to make sure we’d make it through.

Q. What can you look back at now and laugh at?

I started off with Chartwells as a dishwasher in college. It’s funny that I currently work for them as a director.