My Recipe for Success

Wayne G. Barkins II, CDM, CFPP

Atlanta, GA
ANFP Member Since: 2021

Wayne G. Barkins II, CDM, CFPP serves as the System Director of Food and Nutritional Services for Morrison Healthcare, supporting operations at Northside Atlanta and Northside Cherokee. In his role, he is dedicated to empowering teams to achieve exceptional outcomes for clients, retail guests, and patients; placing equal emphasis on both culinary excellence and people-centered leadership.

Wayne pursued studies in Entrepreneurial Management at Virginia Union University and later refined his expertise in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management at Johnson & Wales University. His professional philosophy reflects a deep commitment to continuous improvement, mentorship, and purpose-driven leadership.

Wayne's Recipe for Success

  1. Keep it simple. At its core, our business is about food and people. Focus on delivering exceptional food and building a team rooted in the right culture. Everything else will follow.
  2. Embrace hard work. Be diligent in the work you and your team produce. Strive for continuous improvement and never become complacent.
  3. Lead with trust. Empower your team to innovate, refine processes, and make high-level decisions. Even when outcomes fall short, respond with grace, constructive feedback, and encouragement.
  4. Invest and give back. Commit to developing younger team members and contributing to your community. Ask yourself: Are you simply doing a job, or are you making a lasting impact?
  5. Practice understanding. Make decisions with empathy by considering multiple perspectives; those of your team members, end users, and guests.
  6. Prioritize balance. Take time to invest in your own well-being. Self-care is not optional. An empty cup cannot fill another.
  7. Listen and support. Build meaningful relationships by actively listening to your team each day. Work alongside them to remove obstacles and create a path to success.
  8. Challenge yourself and continue learning. Push beyond your comfort zone. Seek new experiences and perspectives. This is where innovation and fresh ideas are born.
  9. Remember your “why." Reflect on your first role in the kitchen and what inspired you to pursue this profession. Keep that passion close and let it guide your leadership.
  10. Champion the future of the profession. Invest in the next generation and stay engaged in your craft. Explore new dining experiences, service styles, and flavors. You will continue to grow both personally and professionally.

View the archive of My Recipe for Success articles at www.ANFPonline.org/myrecipeforsuccess. 

Nominate Yourself or a Fellow ANFP Member

Have you spent a career in foodservice? Share your wisdom and advice in a new feature from ANFP. My Recipe for Success is aimed at retired members or those who have spent a long career in foodservice. Share the biggest lessons you’ve learned to a lengthy, fruitful, and successful career in the non-commercial foodservice industry. 

Nomination Form

My Recipe for Success Archive

January 2021 - Dorothy Radermacher, CDM, CFPP
March 2021 - Wanda Dickson, CDM, CFPP
May 2021 - Tom Thaman, CDM, CFPP
July 2021 - Chef Richard "Nick" Nickless, CEC, CCA, AAC, CDM, CFPP
September 2021 - Karen Swift, CDM, CFPP
November 2021 - Paula Bradley, CDM, CFPP
January 2022 - Deborah McDonald, CDM, CFPP
March 2022 - Trish De Leo, CDM, CFPP
May 2022 - Deb Dawson, CDM, CFPP
July 2022 - Rosalind Davis, CDM, CFPP
September 2022 - Ken Owens, CDM, CFPP
November 2022 - Janice Hemel, CDM, CFPP
January 2023 - Bonna Brown, CDM, CFPP
March 2023 - Becky Massey, CDM, CFPP
May 2023 -  Colleen Zenk, CDM, CFPP
July 2023 - Joey Rost, CDM, CFPP
September 2023 - Milton McGowian, DBA, FMP, CDM, CFPP
November 2023 - Robert McKeon, CDM, CFPP
January 2024 - Hunter Hying, CDM, CFPP
March 2024 - Kim Kyle, CDM, CFPP
May 2024 - Sharon Vermeer, CDM, CFPP
July 2024 - Regina St. Clair, CDM, CFPP
September 2024 - Ken Hanson, CPM, CDM, CFPP
November 2024 - Barbara Thomsen, CDM, CFPP, RAC, QCP
January 2025 - Michael Kopec, CDM, CFPP 
March 2025 - Preeti Padmanabhan, CDM, CFPP
May 2025 - Chef Louie Prantil
July 2025 - Rosemary Aho, CDM, CFPP
September 2025 - Mark Budd, CDM, CFPP
November 2025 - Steve Owen, CDM, CFPP
January 2026 - Felix Jones, CDM, CFPP
March 2026 - Jose Brito, CDM, CFPP
May 2026 - Stacey Sheerin, CDM, CFPP, MBA
July 2026 - Teresa Trostel, CDM, CFPP