Dean A Mistretta (he/him)


Associate Professor College of Hospitality Management Food & Beverage Management Providence

Biography and Expertise

Dean /Mistretta, MBA, CHE
Associate Professor – College of Hospitality – Food & Beverage Management
Dean Mistretta has 30 + years of experience and expertise in the hospitality industry. He is an Associate Professor at Johnson & Wales University’s College of Hospitality in the Department of Food & Beverage Management.
He earned an associate degree from Northern Virginia Community College, a bachelor’s degree from Curry College, and a Master of Business Administration from Johnson & Wales University.
He is a Certified Hospitality Educator and a regular presenter at the annual Catersource Conference & Special Events comprising industry peers where he speaks to catering trends & hospitality best practices.
In addition, he is a member of the International Caterers Association (ICA), the Rhode Island Hospitality Association (RIHA), and the National Restaurant Association (NRA).
He remains the active Director of Catering at Decadent Catering while teaching and co-hosting the popular podcast ” Hospitable with Nick & Dean”

Education

MBA
Johnson & Wales University

BA
Curry College

Associates in Science
Northern Virginia Community College

ServSafe Alcohol
TIPS – Alcohol Certification

ServeSafe – Allergen Certification
ServeSafe Allergen Certification

Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE)
AHLA – Certified Hospitality Educator CHE

WISP Training
WISP Training Johnson & Wales University

ServSafe Food Safety
ServSafe Food Safety Manager

ServSafe Alcohol
ServeSafe Alcohol Certification

Mary J. Craft Culinary Crafts Scholarship Award
International Caterers Academic Educational Foundation

Bitters are Back (Magazine)
Catersource Magazine
June 1, 2025
https://www.catersource.com/food-professionals/positive-predictions-for-2025

Faculty Focus -Johnson & Wales University (Other)
Johnson & Wales University
May 7, 2025

S4-E19 – ‘Madame President” with Marie Bernardo – Souza (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales
April 29, 2025
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4-E18 – “Hope Street Pizza & Restaurant” with Saki (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
April 10, 2025
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4-E17 – Chef Dean Donnell (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
March 30, 2025
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4-E16 – “The Legend of Rick Simone” with Rick Simone (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
March 27, 2025
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4-E15 – ” A Dash of Bitters” with Josh Warrener (Podcast)
Johnson & wales University
March 20, 2025
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4-E14 – ” Allergen Free” with Chef Thomas Webb (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
March 13, 2025
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4-E11 – “Caffeinated Tourism ” with Bryan Lavin, Part 2 (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
March 12, 2025
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4-E12- “The Event Factory ” with Hugo Addamos (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
February 20, 2025
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

25 Predictions for 2025 – State of The Catering Industry Professional Analysis (Magazine)
Catersource
February 15, 2025
Catersource, 2025 p. TBD

S4- E10 – “Diving into Tourism” with Bryan lavin (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
February 9, 2025
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4-E9 – “Put Me in Coach ” with Lou Pallano (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
December 5, 2024
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4-E8 – “Aging Disgracefully” with Charlie Hall & Doreen Collins (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
November 21, 2024
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series

S4-E7 – “Online Education Download ” with Michael O’Malley (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University –
October 31, 2024
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean “

S4- E6- “Show Biz ” with Carson Kressley (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
October 17, 2024
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – Hospitable with Nick & Dean

S4-E5 – “This is Safe Right?” with Patty Bowman (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
October 10, 2024
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – Hospitable with Nick & Dean

S4-E4 – ” Dean , the Dean and Doctors. oh my” with CFIT Dean Jason Evans (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
October 3, 2024
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – Hospitable with Nick and Dean

S4-E3 – “Checking in” with Katie Davin (Other)
Johnson & Wales University
September 19, 2024
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – Hospitable with Nick and Dean

S4 – E2 – “Walk Down Memory Lane” – 2023 Season Review (Other)
Johnson & wales University
September 12, 2024
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – “Hospitable with Nick & Dean”

S4- E1 – “Dining Revolution ” with Chef Ken (Podcast)
Johnson & Wales University
September 5, 2024
Hospitality with Purpose Podcast Series – Hospitable with Nick & Dean

25 Predictions for 2022 (Newspaper)
Catersource, 2021, p. 33
October 15, 2021

7 Predictions on Event Planning in a Post-Pandemic World (Newspaper)
Johnson & Wales University
September 10, 2021
https://www.jwu.edu/news/2021/09/predictions-event-planning-post-pandemic.html.

National Restaurant Association

International Caterers Association

United States Bartending Guild

Rhode Island Hospitality Association

Mistretta, D.
25 Positive Predictions for 2025
Catersource Magazine
https://www.catersource.com/food-professionals/positive-predictions-for-2025

The Tasting Experience: Crafting Cocktails
Demonstration
Catersource and the Special Event
Informa Connect
Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center
Ft.Lauderdale
FL
United States

From Rocks to Riches: Profitable Beverage Centers
Oral Presentation
Catersource and The Special Event
Catersource
Ft.Lauderdale Convention Center
Ft.Lauderdale
FL

On the Rocks to Riches: Building Profitable Beverage Centers and Bars
Lecture
Bar & Restaurant Expo
BRE
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas
NV
United States

Industry Expert Judging
Competition Judging
Bar & Restaurant Expo
Questex
Las Vegas Convention Center
Las Vegas
NE
United States

“You’re Losing Money…again!” – Simple Seps to Control Your Costs
Lecture
Catersource Conference & Tradeshow
Catersource
Austin Convention Center
Austin
TX
United States

“To Build a Bar” Profitable Beverage Centers 101
Lecture
Catersource Conference and Tradeshow
Catersource
Orlando Convention Center
Orlando
United States

“Your Losing Money! Eight Simple Steps to Control your Costs” – Part 2
Lecture
Catersource Conference and Tradeshow
Catersource
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim
CA
United States

“You’re Losing Money!” – Eight Simple Seps to Control Your Costs – Part 1
Oral Presentation
Catersource Conference & Tradeshow
Catersource
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim
United States

Georgia Institute of Technology Event Coordinators Network Conference
Lecture
Zoom
Presenter, Georgia Institute of Technology Event Coordinators Network Conference
Zoom
Providence
RI

Judge, Skills USA – National
Competition Judging
Judge, Skills USA – National
Skills USA – National
Hotel
North Attleboro
MA

Keynote Speaker
Keynote/Plenary Address
Presenter, FBLA State Fall Leadership Conference
FBLA
JWU – Harborside
Providence
RI
United States

Judge
Competition Judging
DECA HX District Competition
DECA
JWU Campus
Providence
RI

Presenter
Leadership Conference
RI State Fall Leadership Conference
DEKKA
Harborside Campus JWU
Providence
RI
United States