I guess you could say I started my culinary career at the age of ten. I first learned about cooking as a Boy Scout. I learned to cook in every kind of weather and with every kind of fire. I took a side trip in my culinary career when I went off to college at Central Michigan University; I decided to major in my other passion: Science. After graduating in 1992 with a BS in Biology and spending about four years in the field, I moved to Atlanta. I spent about two years in the Atlanta area before I decided to pursue my passion for cooking. I attended the Atlanta Arts Institute and enrolled in their culinary program. While going to school, I worked at a small restaurant called the 1848 House in Marietta, as a prep cook. After I graduated from the Art Institute, I continued working at the 1848 House for five years, moving up through the ranks to Pastry Chef. I left the restaurant for Aramark, and over the next five years I worked through the ranks as cook, caterer, chef and finally as chef/manager of a senior citizens center. When my son was born I took a few years off so I could be a stay at home dad. After three years, I moved to Hartwell, GA and began working for Lee Epting Catering as an on-site kitchen director. After two years, I came to work for the University of Georgia as an Assistant Manager at Oglethorpe Dining Commons. In August of 2008 I was promoted to Chef at Oglethorpe Dining Commons, worked as the Chef at Snelling Dining Commons, and am now the Chef at Bolton Dining Commons.
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Cook's HolidayTickets to our annual Cook's Holiday celebration are on sale now! -
Campus Grown Salads at East Side DeliMade with produce from the vertical aeroponic gardens at O-House -
Taste of Home Recipe Submission OpenHave your recipe featured at UGA! -
Composting Efforts ExpandedLeftovers at Campus Catering and food prep from Tate retail locations are now composted! -
Student Workers Now Earn $9.00/HourCome work for us! Free meal per shift, real work experience, and much more.
Request Us for Your Next Event
Interested in having UGA's food truck at your next event? Simply complete the request form below and our staff will be in touch with you shortly. Custom menu options are available.
Tim Neal
Chef at Bolton Dining Commons