Karen Duckworth

About Karen Duckworth

With over 25 years of expertise in healthcare food service and more than 20 years in nutrition and food service management, I hold a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Nutrition from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. I am a Certified Food Manager and ServSafe certified, bringing a strong foundation in safety and quality to my work.My career has spanned roles such as Food Service Director, District Manager, Business Development, Clinical Dietitian, and Operations Support Manager—leading quality improvement initiatives, developing innovative menus, and training new managers to uphold exceptional standards.I have successfully implemented family-style and satellite dining programs across numerous healthcare communities, enhancing resident experiences through person-centered care. As a recognized speaker, I’ve presented to large professional audiences on family-style dining and person-centered food service, while also providing operational guidance and Q&A support to food service departments nationwide.Passionate about elevating dining experiences, I am dedicated to driving customer satisfaction and pioneering creative, resident-focused solutions in healthcare dining services.

Experience

1. Director of Culinary

   Forefront

   Aug 2025 — Present

Education

• California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

  Bachelor of Science Degree, Food Science and Nutrition

  1991 — 1994

Skills

• Budgets
• Food
• Cooking
• Event Planning
• Culinary Skills
• Leadership
• Training
• Hiring
• Facilities Management
• Healthcare
• Program Management
• Hospitality
• Public Speaking
• Food Safety
• Management
• Team Building
• Catering
• Food Service
• Menu Development
• Customer Service
• Nutrition