Culinary Powerhouses Leading the Way to the 2024 Paris Olympics
In the fiercely competitive world of Olympic athletics, every advantage matters. Individual and team performances may come down to split seconds, goals, runs, and game points, but maintaining the physical health to excel means tracking the number of calories, carbs, and proteins. While the world counts medals, Sodexo Live! Vice Presidents of Culinary Jeff Leidy and Jennifer Berigsen are part of a team of 25 head chefs calculating nutritional goals and customizing meals to suit specific sports and athletes.
Meet these award-winning chefs, each bringing their unique skills and experiences to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Chef Jeff Leidy, with his innovative culinary practices, and Jennifer Berigsen, with her diverse skill set, have been training for decades to lead the Sodexo Live! team to culinary victory.
Chef Jeff Leidy
Chef Jeff Leidy's culinary journey began as a busboy in a steak and seafood house, where he quickly moved to the kitchen and fell in love with the art of cooking. His success across more than 35 years of culinary experience, and his skilled and inventive culinary practices, have not only earned him an industry-wide reputation but have also significantly altered how people think about cuisine in a live event setting.
The 2024 Olympics aren't his first time in the spotlight--he has previously cooked for a wide array of major events ranging from multiple Super Bowls to a dinner for former Vice President Al Gore and Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev. He is an integral member of Sodexo Live!’s Culinary Leadership Network and is a key advisor to the company's executive management team, championing the incorporation of local and regional foods in our culinary operations. His passion for the industry shines through his dedication and desire to push culinary boundaries to provide unique, best-in-class experiences at all the venues he serves.
Chef Jennifer Bargisen
Jennifer Bargisen is Sodexo Live!'s Senior Vice President of Culinary, entrusted with overseeing all food and beverage operations in Central North America. With an impressive 25-year career in the industry, Chef Jennifer boasts a diverse skill set cultivated across a spectrum of businesses. Her professional journey has led her through world-class casinos, luxury five-diamond resorts, distinctive restaurants, including the country's inaugural four-diamond South American restaurant, and a high-volume Executive Chef role at one of the nation's largest hotels.
Her culinary prowess has garnered recognition, including appearances on the Food Network and the privilege of cooking for former presidents and celebrities. Her culinary portfolio extends to influential events such as AAA Five Diamond Awards dinners, major national conventions, Chaine de Rotissieurs Awards, Super Bowls, NCAA Final Four, College Football Championships, and some of the nation's most successful charity events.