Tom Bethel has worked in the hospitality business for over thirty years. Highlights include working for Wolfgang Puck at Spago Restaurant in Los Angeles, and thirteen years as General Manager of Higgins Restaurant and Bar in Portland.

He has also worked for five James Beard award winning chefs, a number of other James Beard nominees, and eaten at even more James Beard award winning restaurants.

After working at Higgins Restaurant, in 2010, Tom was hired as a Program Director for the Restaurant Management Program at the Oregon Culinary Institute. President Eric Stromquist commented,”Tom Bethel offers a polished approach to restaurant management that inspires customer loyalty. His reverence to hospitality is the essence of our restaurant management program.” Tom has since been promoted to Director of Education at OCI. 

He has a passion for this wonderful industry and likes to share this passion with restaurateurs, chefs, and students.