Please help us welcome Dean Ogan to the Food Paradigm board!

Dean jumps in at 1000% for anything he firmly believes in and we are grateful he has jumped in on this mission as our culinary expert. Dean Ogan discovered his passion for hospitality at just 14 years old while working as a dishwasher at The Rumson Country Club in his home state of New Jersey. Since opening his first restaurant, Michael Dean’s, in 1998, Dean has become one of the Triangle’s most respected leaders in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Over the course of his career, Dean has launched more than a dozen restaurants, three catering companies, and two special event venues, helping shape the region’s culinary landscape along the way. Most recently, he owned and operated Rocky Top Catering, one of the Triangle’s premier catering companies for weddings, corporate events, and special occasions, where he now serves as founder and senior advisor. Deeply committed to philanthropy and community impact, Dean has dedicated much of his career to giving back through initiatives such as Cooking for the Kids, Overflowing Hands, and Oak City Cares, helping provide meals and support to thousands throughout the community. His contributions have earned numerous honors, including the Triangle NACE Lifetime Achievement Award, Triangle Business Journal Corporate Philanthropy and Top NC Corporate Philanthropist Awards, and the NCRLA Ken Conrad Award for Community Service and Restaurateur of the Year Award. Chef Dean’s belief in the power of nutritious food, hospitality, and service continues to drive his mission to create meaningful change and strengthen the community he proudly serves. #SchoolFood #CommunityImpact #NorthCarolina #NonprofitLeadership