Food System Economic Partnership

Susan Schmidt
Food Service and Catering Director, the Henry Ford

Susan Schmidt is the Director of Food Service and Catering at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. In this role she oversees approximately 450 employees who service the million plus visitors and catering clients who visit the history attraction each year. She is responsible for the various dining and snack options of the Henry Ford Museum, Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Academy, and the evening and special event catering throughout the campus which generate in excess of $9,000,000 annually. She also seeks to enhance the visitor experience by developing menus and products that interpret food history and traditions, which provide insight into the cultural aspects of American and Michigan foodways. Ms. Schmidt came to Michigan from Mississippi where she was Vice President of Food and Beverage at a gulf coast casino hotel. She was responsible for the food, catering, casino beverage and hotel operations. Previously, she spent 21 years at a hotel casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey where she held numerous food and beverage management and training positions, culminating as Director of Food and Beverage. She has a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and is a member of the Michigan Museum Association and Michigan Restaurant Association. As part of the Food System Economic Partnership, Ms. Schmidt brings the Henry Ford’s resources and enthusiasm for the project, and she also will serve as a liaison to other food service businesses and distributors.