Lance Avery

Corporate Chef/Business Development Manager

Lance brings a variety of food related work experiences to the CBI team. For the last eight years he has worked in the manufacturing/processing side of the business for Sara Lee, Newly Weds Foods, and Little Lady Foods. As an Executive Chef, he worked with major National Accounts such as McDonald’s and Applebee’s, large food processors like McCain’s, and Business and Industry clients like Compass Group developing new food products from concept to commercialization. An entrepreneur at heart, Lance owned and operated Innovative Foods, LLC a gourmet food company prior working as a corporate chef. Lance also spent several years working in fine dining establishments and catering companies, honing his craft as a chef after going to culinary school at the Art Institute in Denver, Colorado and receiving his B.A. in history at the University of Montana.

Charlie and Lance have known and have worked together occasionally for the last ten years. As neighbors, they share their love for food, Chicago, and the lake. Focused on business development, Lance compliments the ultra creative and best-in-class approach of Charlie and the rest of his team.

• Favorite Food: The fish on the end of my fly-line
• Favorite City to Travel To: Missoula, MT
• 3 Things in my Refrigerator: Bacon Fat, Anchovies, and Tamari Soy Sauce