We often celebrate individuals who have achieved singular or periodic extraordinary results. Other times we recognize individuals who have been consistent and longstanding stalwarts of the Biaggi’s culture. Troy Tomlinson is both of these and more. A few of Troy’s notables:
· By every metric you could think of, Troy runs the busiest, most complicated kitchen in the company. Highest food sales, highest banquet sales, highest ToGo & Pronto, most catering/offsite, highest wine dinner sales. The list goes on.
· He is the literal definition of a local celebrity chef. He is recognized as THE Top Chef in Bloomington/Normal, both anecdotally (he is a face that many in the community recognize and know) and through years’ worth of community based accolades and awards.
· His charitable involvement and contribution to the Bloomington/Normal community is simply too broad in scope give an adequate accounting of. It would be an understatement to say that he is very active in community support and fundraising.
· He’s trained many.
· He’s field tested much.
· He’s facilitated or supported a ton of menu development and ideation.
In the interest of brevity (though not for lack of content), I’ll stop the list here.
Troy is simultaneously a General and a Soldier. He’s led Bloomington’s kitchen into battle for 11 years (in Eden Prairie as a Sous and Omaha & Maple Grove as CP before that). But he’s also a guy who never shies away from the trench work; providing an exceptional example of the behaviors and skills he expects and holds accountable.
Troy celebrated his 15th Biaggi’s anniversary this month, as he does most of his incredible accomplishments; quietly, with dignity and restrained fanfare. I suggest we make some noise and toot some horns that he would never do himself.
-Kevin Reed