Dean Mistretta

Associate Professor

JWU Faculty Since 2016

Faculty Picture of Dean Mistretta

Contact Info

Email
dean.mistretta@jwu.edu
Phone
401-598-5271
Campus
Providence

Dean Mistretta has 25 years’ experience and expertise in the hospitality industry. Most recently he spearheaded the creation of Decadent Catering Company, where he remains active as director of catering.

Most notably, Mistretta acted as the regional marketing and promotions director for a large hospitality company, with an extensive portfolio of restaurants, bars and nightclubs along the Eastern seaboard.

In addition, he has a long-standing background in hospitality marketing and sales management as a private consultant.

Dean Mistretta specializes in spearheading food and beverage startup companies — from design, staffing, training menu planning, marketing and promotions, to setting up internal controls of day-to-day operations. Mistretta is a former established and respected nightclub promoter. He also has been a nightclub owner in the city of Providence, where he managed all of the club’s design, marketing and day-to-day operations.

Education

  • MBA, Johnson & Wales University
  • B.A., Psychology, Curry College
  • A.S., Northern Virginia Community College

What I love about hospitality is that there are so many different opportunities in the field.

Teaching Interests

Catering Operations
Food and Beverage Startups
Food and Beverage Operations Management
Hospitality Marketing and Promotions

Courses

  • Beverage Appreciation
  • Food and Beverage Startups
  • Food Service Operations
  • Advanced Food Service Operations Management


Q&A with Dean

At JWU, education is not confined to the four walls of the classroom. You’re not going to spend four years with your nose buried in a book, learning theories you may never get a chance to apply — you’re going to get out there and apply them, be it through internships, group projects, leadership opportunities, competitions and more.

What Is Your Favorite Teaching Moment?

When I see a student after they were struggling to grasp a certain subject, have a breakthrough because of a discussion or lecture that I was a part of.

What Advice Do You Have For Incoming Freshmen?

Try everything. Who knows... you might discover a new passion that you did not know existed.

What College Do You Teach In?

The College of Hospitality Management


Multi-Media grid

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Professor Dean Mistretta talks about being awarded the 2021 Mary Crafts / Culinary Craft Scholarship and traveling to Miami for the national Catersource conference, picking up knowledge and experience to share with his JWU students after the rollercoaster ride the pandemic

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Professor Dean Mistretta talks about the many opportunities in the hospitality and food management fields.

Watch the Video