DANA CIFONE
Hospitality Consultant
Meet Dana Cifone — a seasoned hospitality leader with extensive experience spanning corporate restaurants, hotels, and independently owned concepts she has personally conceptualized, designed, and operated. With a career built on opening properties, developing brands, leading teams, and overseeing every detail from operations to guest experience, she brings a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to build and sustain successful restaurants. Dana’s expertise includes concept development, operational systems, staff training, event programming, marketing strategy, and the seamless coordination required to bring a vision to life. She now applies this depth of knowledge to support hospitality businesses seeking clarity, structure, and elevated execution — offering the same high-level guidance and strategic direction that have defined her career.
Areas of Expertise
-
concept & brand development
-
marketing, sales & branding strategy
-
events program & deck creation
-
menu design & development
-
point-of-sale & tech infrastructure
-
website & digital presence
-
photo & media production
-
operations & HR set-up
-
staffing & recruitment
-
staff training & onboarding
-
operational systems & readiness
-
reservation & event platform
The hospitality world moves fast, and the people who thrive in it are the ones who understand what really happens behind the scenes — the pressure, the rhythm, the problem-solving, and the countless decisions that shape a guest’s experience long before the doors open. Restaurants need voices that have lived every side of the industry: the chefs balancing creativity with cost, the GMs running full-speed through service, the bartenders navigating controlled chaos, and the operators connecting it all into something seamless.
Vendors, consultants, and support teams rely on someone who can translate between the front-of-house energy and the back-of-house precision, someone who understands both the beauty of a flawless pre-shift and the reality of what’s happening in the back office. Newer professionals benefit from clear guidance rooted in real experience, not theory — the kind that helps them understand what they’ve stepped into and how to grow within it.
EVENTS
Dana has become a trusted name in creating curated hospitality experiences — from elegant wine dinners and chef collaborations to thoughtfully produced private gatherings. Whether joining one of her signature events featuring top culinary talent and industry professionals or collaborating on a bespoke occasion designed to reflect your vision, every detail is approached with creativity, precision, and a deep understanding of what makes guests feel connected. Each experience blends exceptional food, atmosphere, and storytelling — turning moments into memorable events that feel effortless yet unforgettable.
Private Chef Experiences
Social & Corporate Events
Cooking Demostrations
EDITORIAL
Dana writes thoughtful editorials on the food and hospitality industry for lifestyle publications, offering an insider perspective on chefs, restaurants, trends, and the culture that shapes how we dine and gather.
Greenwich Lifestyle Magazine
Darien New Canaan Lifestyle Magazine
Upper Westchester Lifestyle Magazine
Contact Me
If you’d like to connect about consulting services, explore sponsorship opportunities for the podcast, or learn more about the shop, I’d love to continue the conversation. Please feel free to reach out anytime for details or next steps.
