Jeffrey Pittman
Instructional Assistant Profressor in Nutrition and Hospitality Management
Jeffrey Pittman II is an accomplished chef, researcher, and faculty member at the University of Mississippi. He currently serves as an Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition & Hospitality Management and as Interim Program Director of Hospitality Management. In these roles, Dr. Pittman brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and industry experience, enriching the curriculum and mentoring future leaders in the hospitality field. Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Pittman was the full-time Property Sous Chef for Sodexo, overseeing culinary operations for the University of Mississippi Athletics and Premium Services departments. In this capacity, he led kitchen teams, developed high-quality menus, and ensured top-tier dining experiences for students, athletes, and guests
Research Interests
Influence of cuisine authenticity on purchase intention, Enhancing service quality through Robot Servers, Enhancing food quality through robot chefs, Rebuilding the restaurant workforce through supportive leadership
Biography
Jeffrey Pittman II is an Instructional Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition & Hospitality Management at the University of Mississippi, where he began his faculty role in Fall 2024. Dr. Pittman has held various leadership roles at Ole Miss since 2021, including Assistant Departmental Coordinator for Mississippi Day, Graduate Student Advisor to the School of Applied Sciences Advisory Board, Instructor for Rebel Chefs Culinary and Baking Camp, and Academic Advisor to Ole Miss Ambassadors for Southern Hospitality (OMASH). With extensive experience in both independent and multi-unit restaurant management, Dr. Pittman brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the classroom. He teaches and facilitates experiential learning across the department’s foodservice management and culinary science courses. Additionally, he plays a key role in guiding students and overseeing goals, activities, and community engagement within the undergraduate hospitality management program. Dr. Pittman’s research interests focus on the use of robotics in foodservice production and dining room service to understand consumer behavior and mitigate labor shortages in the restaurant industry. He also investigates leadership styles that promote positive organizational behavior, workforce development, and job satisfaction within the hospitality sector. A highlight of his career includes volunteering with colleagues to provide culinary training and food services to underserved communities in Oxford, MS, and the Mississippi Delta. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Pittman worked as a corporate chef for prestigious restaurant brands and resorts across the United States, including Golden Nugget Casino & Resorts and Gordon Ramsay Steak. He earned both his Ph.D. and Master of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Mississippi and holds a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts from Mississippi University for Women. Dr. Pittman has been recognized with several honors, including the 2024 Paragon Teaching Honorable Mention Award from the University of Mississippi, the 2019 Honorable Leadership Award from Mississippi University for Women, and induction into the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) Youth Advisory Council in 2023.
Education
B.S. Culinary Arts, Mississippi University for Women (2019)
M.S. Hospitality Management, The University of Mississippi (2021)