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Ken Alston

Austin, Minn.

Hormel Foods Corporate Executive Chef

As the corporate executive chef, Ken serves as a culinary expert for Hormel Foods, advising and directing wherever he’s needed. He oversees food shows and a historic property known simply as the “Sales Cabin,” where Ken and his team handle events ranging from small gatherings of a dozen or so people to board meetings, barbeques and retirement dinners of more than 100 attendees, a time-honored company tradition.

Ken’s background is diverse. He studied nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and even worked as a paramedic, all while financing his education with jobs in the food industry. He passed the American Culinary Federation’s certified executive chef exam and received ProChef certification from The Culinary Institute of America. Over the last 28 years, Ken has held numerous head chef and executive chef positions, managing, training and developing many other chefs in high-end clubs and resorts.

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