Dr. Ata (Al) Baroudi joined The Cheesecake Factory in 2008 with broad experience in the food industry as a quality assurance executive. He is an agricultural engineer with a MS degree in FS & Technology / Microbiology from the University of California at Davis. He received his Ph.D. in Food Processing and Technology / Regulatory Affairs from The Ohio State University in Columbus. He served as the head of QA and Food Safety (Snacks and Dairy) for Borden Foods Company in Columbus, OH, before moving to the west coast as VP, Corporate QA/Food Safety and Regulatory/Environmental Affairs for the Vons/Safeway Supermarkets, Arcadia, CA. Dr. Baroudi then served as VP of QA and Technical Services, Harry & David Corporation, Medford, OR., before becoming the Chief Scientific, Health and Regulatory Affairs Officer at Yum! Brands in Louisville, KY.

Dr. Al Baroudi is a premier food scientist who lectures around the globe on Food Safety in conferences and has been a keynote speaker at many meetings.  He conducted workshops, published White Papers and introduced HACCP program to developing countries on behalf of the US government.  He appeared on several TV/radio talk shows as a food safety expert.  He authored many food safety articles in different food magazines.