RAYMOND HALDEMAN BIO
1-866-735-3582
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Raymond Haldeman has been profiled in The NY Times, Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Robb Report, Gourmet Magazine, Bon Appetit, Town & Country, Hospitality Design, Food Service News, The Hollywood Reporter, The Houston Chronicle, Philadelphia Magazine, The Courier Post, Ocean Drive Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, the Main Line Times, The Palm Beach Post, Clematis Magazine, Restaurant News and Parade Magazine to mention more than a few!
Mr. Haldeman was twice awarded both YEO's and ACE's Award as one of the, "Top 100 Entrepreneurs in America."
He was the 1st recipient of the “Business Leadership Award” from The Center City Association of Proprietors in Philadelphia.
Raymond Haldeman on the construction site of the NEW Cuzin’s Seafood Bar in New Brunswick, NJ scheduled to open in early 2022.
He served as a Board of Director of The Philadelphia Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and as a Board of Director of The Mayor’s Small Business Advisory Council.
As a Society Caterer & Restaurateur, prior to his career as a Restaurant Designer, Haldeman catered parties and major events for an impressive list of the world’s most prominent people including 2 American Presidents, The Royal Family and a roster of Fortune 500 Companies.
As an on air personality he has hosted TV shows and TV segments on entertaining and created events with icons of the food industry including Martha Stewart & Jacques Pepin. He recently hosted "Restaurant Reviews with Raymond Haldeman" on ROKU's Travel Channel, TV America.
Today Haldeman is a leading entrepreneurial authority on Bar, Restaurant & Nightclub design. His latest restaurant design and rebranding projects include the “new” Cuzins Seafood Bar in New Brunswick, NJ, the total renovation and rebranding of the Pilot House, now Fins Bar & Grille, in Cape May, NJ, and The Olde Silver Tavern in Manalapan, NJ. (see Raymonds Designs)
Raymond Haldeman Bio
Celebrity French Chef Jacques Pepin as guest chef with Raymond
at the Raymond Haldeman Restaurant in Philadelphia to promote
his cook book. Photo: New York Times
As a teenager, Haldeman began his career as a busboy at The Garden Restaurant in Philadelphia. Before the age of 19 he worked his way up to a chef's position pumping out 300-400 covers daily by day and worked as Maitre D' at night.
Soon thereafter, at the age of 21, he landed a gig as Chef and Catering Director aboard international conglomerate ITW's Corporate Entertaining yacht, The Arara III, and coordinated shipboard events with high-end caterers from across the country where he cooked for some of the most notable CEO's in the world.
Raymond Haldeman at his Palm Beach nightclub "Eden" with Broadway Producer Terry Allen Kramer and Rocker Rod Stewart. Photo: Palm Beach Post
This experience, working hand in hand with some of the country's best caterers gave him the knowledge and confidence to start his own catering business in Philadelphia. His first year, working out of his apartment, he grossed $1 million dollars and was featured on the cover of Money Magazine. In just a few years Haldeman was one of the leading Corporate & Society Caterers in the country.
He parlayed his success and popularity into several well publicized restaurants & nightclubs that he launched in Philadelphia, South Beach, Palm Beach & San Juan, Puerto Rico, all of which he conceptually conceived, designed and operated.
Demand for his expertise increased and he found himself in a unique position with a lifetime of experience under his belt. He more formally committed to helping other operators fine tune their businesses, add "wow-factor" to the atmosphere of their establishments and propel them to increased profitability. New operators who wanted to open their businesses on solid ground with the added marketing bonus of creating a "buzz" about the visual experience began to seek him out.
His career as a Bar & Restaurant Designer grew organically and swiftly and he quickly became one of this countries leading authorities on Restaurant Design and Rebranding.
In addition to creating new concepts and developing of functional designs with wow-factor, Raymond's expertise as a hands-on operator gives him the unique ability to provide a credible perspective in the areas of management, marketing & promotion and operational procedures to anyone who engages his Design & ReBranding Services.
Today
Raymond Haldeman at the Grand Opening of ViaSposito in Old Bridge, NJ which he designed in 2019
Today, Haldeman is more active than ever as demand for his hospitality design and consulting services are at an all-time high.
He has carved-out a niche for himself by providing independent owner/operators with timely concepts designed to "excite" and leave an indelible impression on their dinner guests. Haldeman supplies operators with an added layer of expertise and guidance that elevates their operation's functionality and profitability.
If you are planning to build a new venture or rebranding an existing one and need direction, give Raymond a call now and receive a personal 1 on 1 Phone Consultation free of charge.
Raymond deals directly with all his clients, call him, he will be happy to hear from you.
1-866-735-3582
Over the Years
Philadelphia Phillies Baseball Team owner Bill Giles poses with Society Caterer Raymond Haldeman and the 600LB French Chocolate Cake with Strawberries he created for the Philadelphia Phillies at Bills' private reception for the team and 1200 guests.
(photo, Philadelphia Inquirer)
Raymond Haldeman (left) with Glorious Foods Author Christopher Idone at The Raymond Haldeman Restaurant at Front & Walnut Streets in Philadelphia's Society Hill
(photo, The New York Times)
Raymond Haldeman at the Grand Opening of his design "Cuzin's Clam Bar" in Marlboro, NJ in September 2016
Restaurant Designer Raymond Haldeman at Fins in Cape May, NJ where he gutted the old Pilot House and created one of Cape Mays most popular and vibrant tourist attractions.
Today Haldeman is one of leading entrepreneurial authorities on Bar, Restaurant & Nightclub design and operation in the country. His latest restaurant design and rebranding projects pictured below include the total renovation and rebranding of the 15 acre Timber Breeze Lakefront Resort on Butternut Lake in Wisconsin's Northwoods, the total renovation and rebranding of the Pilot House, now Fins Bar & Grille, owned by the iconic Peter Shields Inn in Cape May, NJ, the design of Cuzin's Clam Bar in Marlboro, NJ and the new Cuzin’s in New Brunswick, NJ. Haldeman also designed Beacon 70 on the marina in Brick NJ and the new, Olde Silver Tavern in Manalapan.
Raymond Haldeman in his hometown of Philadelphia with lifelong friend Lisa Witomski
Raymond Haldeman, 2022 at the “new” Cuzin’s in New Brunswick, NJ
Raymond’s nightclub in Palm Beach spiced up the HIGH SOCIETY social scene back in the 2000’s.
Raymond at “Kitchen American Grill” with Kathleen Palella 2023
Raymond Haldeman in 2023 with his first Chef, Melanie Mele who helped him launch his Catering business…many years ago!
Raymond Haldeman with the Esposito family at the Grand Opening oh their new restaurant ViaSposito in Old Bridge, NJ in 2019
Raymond at a restaurant design job site
Haldeman stopped in at “The Olde Silver Tavern” (January 2024) in Manalapan where the patrons are loving the giant 14’ Chandeliers he designed.
Haldeman with his Mother Dolores Haldeman, Salem Oak Vineyard Winery owners Mark & Julia Cassidy and Penns Grove Businessman Andy Plaggie having dinner at Cuzins, (January 2024) a popular restaurant he designed in New Brunswick, NJ.
