Food Safety Expert Witnesses: 11

David Rutecki's career spans 39 years of Restaurant and Hospitality related experience. Working in more than 20 restaurants and involved in the opening of more than a dozen, he has worked every position possible within this industry. Mr. Rutecki currently owns and operates Mountain Deli in Hendersonville, garnering the 2016, 2017 & 2018 Blue Ridge Growth Award. He is a Member of the North Carolina and National Restaurant Associations. Mr. Rutecki has been invloved in the following selected restaurants:

• Fancy’s Food and Wine, Gourmet Shop, Coral Gables, South Miami & Grove Isle, Fl.
• Susie’s Bagels, Breakfast Restaurant, South Miami, Fl.
• Pizzaria Uno, Full Service Restaurant, Miami, Fl.
• Baystreet, Full Service Seafood Restaurant, Miami, Fl.
• Rusty Pelican, Upscale Seafood, Key Biscayne, Miami, Fl.
• Rudolph's BBQ, Upscale BBQ, Miami, Fl.
• Signature Gardens, Upscale Catering Hall, Miami, Fl.
• Chart House, Upscale Seafood, Coconut grove, Fl.
• Cafe Tu Tu Tango, Coconut Grove, Fl.
• Gatsby’s, Upscale Billiards and Cigar Bar, Boca Raton, Fl.
• Prezzo, Casual Italian, Boca Raton, Fl.
• Maxwell’s Chophouse, Upscale Steakhouse, Boca Raton, Fl.
• Mountain Deli, Delicatessen, Downtown Hendersonville, NC
• Tabica Grill, Upscale American, Jupiter, Fl.
• Jonathon's Landing Marina Club, Upscale Boating Club, Jupiter, Fl
• Jetty's, Upscale Seafood, Jupiter, Fl.
• Austin Grill, Casual, Washington, DC.

Litigation Support - David Rutecki offers expert witness and litigation support for restaurant related issues in the United States. His services are available to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defendant. Areas of Expertise:

• Restaurant and Kitchen Design, Menu Development
• Food Safety and Sanitation
• Bar Operations & Liquor Liability... Dram Shop
• Safety & Security - Slips, Trips and Falls
• Daily Operations & Management, Employee & Staffing Issues
• Retail Operations
• Staff & Mgmt Training Programs & Handbooks
• Business Plan Development

Consultants. Experts. Innovators.™

Operating from more than 110+ offices around the globe, we provide services to corporations, insurance companies, law firms, and government agencies.

Rimkus experts specialize in forensic consulting and construction dispute resolution in the hospitality, retail, and restaurant; industrial; marine; oil and gas; power and renewable energy; transportation; and pharmaceuticals industries.

Rimkus experts solve complex challenges wherever in the world they occur. We are dedicated to serving our clients so they can achieve timely resolution of accidents, claims, and legal disputes.

Our highly diversified, global team of engineers, scientists, architects, and technical specialists systematically evaluates all available evidence, applies scientific principles, specialized knowledge and, when appropriate, utilizes the latest analytical technologies to arrive at scientifically sound opinions and solutions for our clients.

Rimkus Global Services Overview

OUR FORENSIC SERVICES EXPERTISE

Architecture Biomedical Engineering Building Consulting Building Surveying Civil and Structural Engineering Construction Claims and Disputes Digital Forensics Environmental Health Science Fire and Explosion Science Geotechnical Engineering Human Factors

Industrial and Renewable Energy Legal Nurse Consulting Marine Forensics Materials Science Engineering Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Forensic Meteorology Premises Liability and Security Property Loss Consulting Toxicology and Food Safety Transportation Visual Media and Technology Services

View our full suite of Forensic Expert Services

GLOBAL OFFICES

Rimkus operates from 110+ offices worldwide, with headquarters in the following cities.

Australia Grosvenor Place, Level 31 225 George Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: +61 2 9290 1495 Email: APEnquiries@rimkus.com

Malaysia Menara Citibank Suite 20.04 Level 20, 165 Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur Phone: +60 3 9212 1204 Email: APEnquiries@rimkus.com

New Zealand Level 2, 1 Broadway Newmarket Auckland 1023 Phone: +64 9 5201929 Email: APEnquiries@rimkus.com

Singapore  138 Market Street Level 5, CapitaGreen 048946 Phone: +65 6016 6057 Email: APEnquiries@rimkus.com

United Kingdom 5th Floor 40 Lime Street London EC3M 7AW Phone: +44 12 5767 6107 Email: EurEnquiries@rimkus.com

United States 12140 Wickchester Ln Ste 300 Houston Texas Phone: +1 800 580 3228 Email: Expert@rimkus.com

View a full list of Rimkus Office Locations.

View Rimkus Quantum and Delay Expert Services Profile.
View Rimkus Life Sciences Expert Services Profile.

Consultants. Experts. Innovators.™

Operating from more than 110+ offices around the globe, we provide services to corporations, insurance companies, law firms, and government agencies.

Rimkus Life Sciences experts have a wealth of specialized expertise to help clients comprehend and improve how humans interact with their facilities, products, and systems.

Our experts offer significant professional experience related to studying and understanding human behavior and experience. Our experts have extensive knowledge involving but not limited to human health and medical devices, warnings and signage, perception and reaction, medicine and patient care, and health and sports activity.

The scientists, engineers, and researchers in Rimkus Life Sciences specialize in human based research to support product design and development, product validation, and development of instructions and warnings for use. Our experts work with clients across the globe in every major product sector. They understand how to leverage rigorous research and thoughtful analysis with creative problem solving to support the development of products.

Rimkus Global Services Overview

LIFE SCIENCE EXPERTISE

Biomedical Engineering

Human Factors

•   Product Safety •   Warnings and Safety Information •   Transportation Human Factors •   Occupational Safety •   Chemical Hazard Communication •   Railroad Grade Crossing and Trespassing Accidents

Medical Devices and Medical Error Accidents Involving Children Maritime Safety and Recreational Sports Premises Liability Industrial Ergonomics and Time and Motion Studies

Legal Nurse Consulting

Medical-Legal Nurse Review Medical Record Organization and Indexing

Testifying Expert Locator Services

Product Safety

Technical Consultations Product Safety Consultations Applied Research and Testing Usability Chemical Hazard Communication

Training Historical Research and Analysis Range of Projects Publications and Research

Sports Science Consulting

Product Validation Testing Applied Research and Data Collection Product Safety and Usability Research Program Management

Scientific Consultation Policy Development Regulatory Guidance Technical Communications Education Programs

Toxicology Food Safety

Toxicology Drug and Alcohol Impairment Consumer Product Toxicity

Food Safety Environmental and Workplace Toxicology Pharmaceuticals Toxicology

View our full suite of Life Sciences Expert Services.

GLOBAL OFFICES

Rimkus operates from 110+ offices worldwide, with headquarters in the following cities.

Australia Grosvenor Place, Level 31 225 George Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: +61 2 9290 1495 Email: APEnquiries@rimkus.com

Malaysia Menara Citibank Suite 20.04 Level 20, 165 Jalan Ampang 50450 Kuala Lumpur Phone: +60 3 9212 1204 Email: APEnquiries@rimkus.com

New Zealand Level 2, 1 Broadway Newmarket Auckland 1023 Phone: +64 9 5201929 Email: APEnquiries@rimkus.com

Singapore  138 Market Street Level 5, CapitaGreen 048946 Phone: +65 6016 6057 Email: APEnquiries@rimkus.com

United Kingdom 5th Floor 40 Lime Street London EC3M 7AW Phone: +44 12 5767 6107 Email: EurEnquiries@rimkus.com

United States 12140 Wickchester Ln Ste 300 Houston Texas Phone: +1 800 580 3228 Email: Expert@rimkus.com

View a full list of Rimkus Office Locations.

View Rimkus Quantum and Delay Expert Services Profile.
View Rimkus Forensic Expert Services Profile.

Howard is one of America's most sought after Restaurant, Bar, Food, & Beverage Industry Experts in the country. With over 32 years of experience, Judges & Juries respect Howard's industry expertise in regard to his restaurant expert witness& restaurant litigation support services - having provided expert witness testimony, opinions, and reports in both State & Federal Cases for Plaintiffs & Defendants. 

• Federal Certification with 29 CFR 1910 from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration

• Certified Forensic Consultant (CFC)-the American College of Forensic Examiners 

• Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points Manager Certification (HACCP) 

• National Environmental Health Association Certification • ServSafe Food Safety

• On-Premise Alcohol - TIPs 2.0

Nationwide Services - NO CHARGE for Domestic Travel

300+ Litigation 

350+ Pre-Litigation

State & Federal Cases - Plaintiffs & Defendants

Restaurant, Bar & Hospitality Industry Matters - Since 1987

Highly-recognizable books, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting A Restaurant" (1st & 2nd Ed) and "Restaurant OSHA Safety and Security: The Book of Restaurant Industry Standards & Best Practices", found in 76 countries around the globe. 

Howard Cannon - Restaurant Expert Witness 

With 300+ Litigation and 350+ Pre-Litigation cases as a Restaurant Expert Witness, Food Safety & Contamination Expert, and Restaurant & Bar Safety & Security Expert, Howard provides Credibility, Integrity, and Unbiased Analysis & Reports. Howard is well-spoken - having given hundreds of restaurant, food service & hospitality industry speeches and seminars, and is quite comfortable in any court of law. He is a published author/experienced writer with books & articles published in dozens of markets around the globe - delivering clear & concise expert reports with an effective and efficient opinion & basis. Howard NEVER misses a deadline – his expert witness reports & opinions are always on time.

Areas of Expertise:

Slips, Trips & Falls Coffee Burns Alcohol/Dram Shop Liability Forensic Analysis Lost Income Royalty Disputes Restaurant Discrimination Customer/Employee Injuries Wage & Labor Claims Trade Secrets Intellectual Property

Restaurant OSHA Americans w/Disabilities Act (ADA) Food Safety & Contaminations Landlord Disputes Premises Liability Training Neglect Restaurant Equipment Restaurant Safety & Security Management Neglect

Franchise Disputes Harassment Restaurant Human Resources Construction Tip Claims Restaurant Operations Partnership Disputes Customized Issues

Website:  www.RestaurantExpertWitness.com  

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RestaurantExpertWtns/videos  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RestaurantExpertWitnessServices

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/restaurant-expert-witness/

Consulting Profile: View Howard Cannon's Consulting Profile  

Gary R. Coburn is an award-winning Restaurant Executive with 40 years of experience creating, opening, running, and advising hundreds of full service restaurants, limited service, quick-service, bars and nightclubs. Additional expertise in restaurant franchising and commercial kitchen design/build from remodels to ground up including conceptual development, viability and business interruption.

With over four decades in the industry, Mr. Coburn has held positions as VP of National Accounts and Design Build for the largest commercial kitchen and distribution company in the country to, Director of Operations, President, COO, Executive Director of Food Services and owner operator. His management experience has included supervising more than 2,000 employees, including 170 managers, along with overseeing consulting assignments for numerous companies.

Clients Include: Joe's Crab Shack, Cask ‘n Cleaver, Lord Charlie’s, El Gato Gordo, Pizza Pronto, Safari Bar Restaurant, Shark Club, Bull Dog Grill, Stronghouse, Pangea, The Ballroom, Juarez Grill, Dickerson’s Club 29, Yucatan Liquor Stand, Zepp’s Atomic Tex Mex, Cabo Grill, Angel Stadium, In Cahoots, The Ball Room, Slick Willie’s, Rodeo, Jake’s, Bobs on the Bay, Crabby Bob’s Seafood, PizzaRev, Honolulu Harry’s, Lahaina Mai Tai Lounge, Canyon Grill, Campagnia, Huey’s Grill & Brewery, Gladstone’s Long Beach, Pro’s Ranch Markets, Lily's Doughnuts & Pops

Litigation Support - Mr. Coburn has served as an expert witness in numerous restaurant-related cases. His services are available to attorneys for plaintiff and defense and include site inspection, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Slip,Trip & Fall Burns Choking Food Safety Dram Shop Alcohol Employee Safety Commercial Kitchen Customer Injuries Operations Management

Franchise Ownership Permitting Training Investing Accounting Premises Liability / Negligent Security OSHA ADA Procedures Equipment Design

Recent cases retained by Plaintiff:

• Guest incident regarding standard of care including safety, protocols / procedures, adequate warnings, and related issues
• Safety and security practices for proprietors regarding foreseeability of harm, likelihood of injury, notice and reasonable intervention 
• Loss of income, conceptual and goodwill impact based on providing adequate parking

Recent cases retained by Defendant:

•     Loss of income and the feasibility of the concept and the viability of opening the restaurant
•     Slip and fall and the ensuring safety of its patrons and duty to use reasonable care in keeping premises reasonably safe
•     Maintenance, industry standards of furniture handling and procurement, foreseeability of harm, and   likelihood of injury from lack of procedures

View RCI's Consulting Profile.

Catherine Adams Hutt, PhD, RD, CFS, has senior public and private experience as a Chief Science & Regulatory Officer in the Food Safety Industry. She is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Food Scientist.

With experience in the public and private sectors, Dr. Adams Hutt provides advice and guidance on a wide range of topics, including regulatory compliance, food safety, quality systems management, supply chain, health and wellness, business strategy, product development, and software solutions for management of quality and product development processes.

Dr. Adams Hutt was formerly Chief Quality, Food Safety, and Nutrition Officer for McDonald’s Corporation and led Supplier and Restaurant Food Safety teams for YUM! Brands. She was Chief Quality Officer for Coors Brewing Company, led the North America Quality team at H.J. Heinz, and developed next generation Quality programs for the Campbell Soup Company. Dr. Adams Hutt was Assistant Administrator for the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) where she led the development of HACCP as a regulatory tool. She has been an active participant in international programs, and led the U.S Delegation for the Codex Food Hygiene Committee.

Litigation Support - Catherine Adams Hutt has high-level training and senior experience in a variety of food related fields, including food manufacturing, food service, food regulations, and nutrition. Her diverse background makes her ideally suited for challenging cases where it is important or helpful to be able to integrate information from a number of different disciplines. Her professional experience is truly unique and her credentials make her unimpeachable. Most of Dr. Adams Hutt's cases are settled before going to trial on the strength of her expert opinion. She has experience with both deposition and trial, understanding the art of the exercise, and works to deliver the optimal results for her clients - plaintiff or defendant.

Areas of Expertise:

Food Safety Food Manufacturing Nutrition Foodborne Illness Food Fraud Food Forensics

Food Poisoning Food Adulteration Dietary Supplements Food Labeling Quality Management Health Claims

Texas Office 4568 Elm Bottom Circle Aubrey, TX 76227

Virginia Office 124 South Fairfax Alexandria, VA 22314

View Dr. Adams Hutt's Consulting Profile.

Dennis Gemberling, CHA, CFBE, FMP, FCSI, President and Founder of Perry Group International, has over 35 years of experience in the Hospitality Management industry. His experience includes managing, operating, and consulting on full-service, limited-service, extended-stay, all-suite, condo and timeshare hotels and resorts, casual, fine-dining, and quick-service restaurants, bars and nightclubs, catering and special event facilities, casinos, and mixed-use real estate. 

Mr. Gemberling has held prior positions for different owners, operators, and chains as Senior Vice President, General Manager, Director of Food & Beverage, and Restaurant Unit Manager. He has been retained on over 400 projects with typical values in the $1 million to $75 million range and revenues in the $1 million to $100 million range both nationally and internationally. His many clients have include among others Biscuits & Blues, Cantina’s, Chevy’s, Choice Hotels, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inns, Hilton, Holiday Inns, Hooter’s Casino, Hyatt, Marriott, McDonald’s, Microtel Inn & Suites, Outback Restaurants, Radisson, Residence Inns, Signature Resort, Sizzler, Sonic Drive-Ins, Starbucks, Starwood, Sheraton, Togo’s, Wendy’s, and Willie Mays Skybox Lounge. 

Litigation Support: Dennis Gemberling is a Certified Hotel Administrator, Certified Food and Beverage Executive, Certified Foodservice Management Professional, and Certified Food Safety Manager. He offers expert witness services to attorneys for plaintiff and defendant cases on a variety of Hospitality-related claims. He is a Professional Member of Foodservice Consultants Society International and the Forensic Expert Witness Association. Mr. Gemberling also provides expertise as a Court Appointed Receiver and Interim Property Manager and is currently the Past President and a Board of Director for the California Receivers Forum – Bay Area Chapter. 

Areas of Expertise:

Management & Operations Income Analysis & Valuation Employment, Hiring & Labor Issues Lost Profits & Future Earnings Business Interruption Planning & Feasibility Upkeep & Maintenance Customs & Trade Practices Standards of Care

Franchise, Management & Operator Contracts Brand, Franchise, Franchisee Apparent Agency Issues Safety & Security Contractor & Entertainment Use Food & Alcoholic Beverage Handling Costs, Economic & Marketing Impact Procurement & Purchasing Landlord / Tenant, Operator & HOA Issues Discrimination & Harassment Construction or FF&E Problems

View Dennis Gemberling's Consulting Profile.

mdi Consultants, Inc - Experts in FDA regulatory affairs, quality assurance and ISO 9000 certification. With 6 years in the FDA and 26 years consulting to the industry, mdi Consultants, Inc. has been an invited Speaker worldwide on FDA regulations and policies and has obtained FDA expert status as third party auditors.

OUR APPROACH

We utilize the following three part approach to providing high quality services to our clients:

Unsurpassed consultant experience – we identify and recruit only top quality consultants with deep industry knowledge to provide the most complete and insightful advice to our clients

Up-to-date systems and processes – we have highly defined systems (e.g. manuals, training programs, technical files) and processes (e.g. audit methodologies, 510(k) submission, validations) that are constantly refined and kept current across the ever changing regulatory environment

Involvement in regulation development – we stay ahead of policies by participating in the development of regulation (e.g. HACCP, Scientific Advisor to U.S. Congressmen)

Karl L. Linck, PE, is an expert in Food Industry Production and Packaging with over 45 years of experience. A Professional Engineer in WI, IL, AZ, CA, FL, and ID, his main area of experience is with Sanitary Systems and their Design in Hygienic Food Processing. 

Litigation Support -  Along with design of many food processing / packaging systems and engineering department development and leadership, Mr. Linck has provided expert witness testimony for cases involving IP and Contract issues. His services are available to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant and include site inspection, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. 

Areas of Expertise:

Sanitary Food Systems Food Processing Systems Food Processing Equipment Facility Sanitary / Hygienic Design Facility Automation Site Selection

Equipment and Engineering Contracting Packaging Material Engineering Packaging / Production Line Efficiency MAP - Modified Atmosphere Packaging Food Packaging Systems / Equipment Food Production Operations

 Background Experience - Much of Mr. Linck's career has focused around dry, oils, refrigerated and frozen products in the pasta, natural cheese, processed cheese, appetizer, and entrée areas. He has led strategic growth of engineering functions, including procurement and customization of production equipment, production line layouts and facilities design, automation, packaging material engineering, site selection, and support engineering functions for all production operations and distribution/office needs.  

From 1992 to 2019, Mr. Linck served as Vice President of Engineering for Sargento Foods, Inc., where he provided key technical direction and management critical to growth and assembled the engineering department to support innovation, improvements, and production support with proper engineering/technician skill sets, among other duties.

Mr. Linck is currently the sole proprietor and engineer for Karl Linck, Technical Consulting, where he specializes in engineering educational material development, manufacturing consulting, expert witness work, and expert advice for the food industry.

Dr. Ewen Todd is a Food Safety Expert with over 45 years of knowledge and experience in general food safety and Food Microbiology Issues. Specifically, he has extensive experience in the reporting and surveillance of Foodborne Disease, as well as development of analytical methods for identifying foodborne pathogens. As a result of his work with the industry and his knowledge of foodborne disease, Dr. Todd has influenced research programs and regulatory approaches taken by the Health Protection Branch of Health Canada. In the US, he held the position of Director of the National Food Safety and Toxicology Center and the Food Safety Policy Center at Michigan State University. 

A leader in microbial research, foodborne disease surveillance, costing of outbreaks, food safety policy, seafood toxins, standard-setting, risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. He has worked in numerous countries educating and training, and collaborating to set up surveillance systems, food safety policies, regulations, and HACCP and other control strategies, including China, Cambodia, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Europe, as well as Canada and the USA. He is also familiar with food defense and food fraud issues, and waterborne disease. He is familiar with the US and Canadian food industry, both foodservice and food processing, HACCP, disease investigation, food, and equipment contamination.

Since leaving the Canadian government and entering academia and as a consultant, he has been an expert witness in 25 cases in both the U.S. and Canada where foodborne illnesses have occurred. He has testified on the behalf of plaintiffs who suffered from E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter, Salmonella, ciguatoxin fish poisoning, yeast, and unknown agents. He has also represented defendants in two illness cases. Therefore, his litigation services are available for both Plaintiff and Defense.

Areas of Expertise

• General Food Safety and Spoilage Issues
• HACCP and GHP Systems
• Standards for Poultry
• Listeria Monocytogenes in Soft Cheeses
• Standards for Poultry
• Seafood Toxins
• Food Workers
• Investigation of Foodborne and Waterborne Illnesses
• Foodborne Disease Surveillance Systems
• Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Risk Governance
• Safety of Aquaculture Systems
• Norovirus in Elder Care and Other Facilities
• Salmonella and Shigella in Schools and Child Care Centers
• Salmonella in Tahini and Other Oil-based Foods
• Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Leafy Greens
• Staphylococcus aureus in Cheese, Clostridium botulinum in Canned or Preserved Food and Native American / Inuit Fermented Food
• Listeria monocytogenes in Deli Meats and Soft Cheeses
• Controlling Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-eat Foods
• Hydrophobic Grid Membrane Filter Systems

View Consulting Profile.

Kenneth Kuscher is fully qualified Food Safety expert witness by knowledge, education, training, and experience (as per rule 702). Mr. Kuscher has nearly 40 years of extensive experience hands-on operational experience. In addition, he has extensive teaching experience at the college level, including food safety instruction.

Areas of Expertise: Food Safety, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Serving, Restaurant Accidents, Food and Beverage Spills, Proper Food Cooking, Food Temperature Cooking, Food Holding Temperatures, E.Coli Prevention and all Viruses, Coffee Spills at Drive Thru, Food Safety