Meet The Team
Love the Applebee's menu? Meet the team behind it. Applebee's culinary team collectively brings more than 100 years of cooking experience and education to the brand; each member with a passion for culinary innovation and menu development. Our team of chefs design every item to be a neighborhood favorite.
Chef Scott Rodriguez
Chief Culinary Officer
A classically trained chef, Scott brings decades of casual dining innovation experience to Applebee’s talented culinary team. He possesses a unique blend of culinary creativity, operational pragmatism, and big-brand leadership. Most importantly, Scott loves food and the role it plays within Applebee’s Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood® positioning. He believes a successful culinary strategy begins with our guests and restaurant-level excellence. Scott is a member of the Operations and Marketing Committees helping to drive alignment on future innovation alongside brand leaders and franchise partners. He is a graduate of Food Service Management, Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales University. With a love for Applebee’s Bourbon Street Steak, it is clear that his culinary expertise is indeed on point.
Chef Johnny Mosquera
Director, Culinary Innovation
Chef Johnny joined the Applebee’s Culinary Team in 2017 bringing with him over 25 years of experience as a Professional Chef. Specializing in regional and classic American cuisine, Chef Johnny has influenced every category on the Applebee’s menu and leads a Team of best-in-class Innovation Chefs that continue to set a high standard within casual dining. Always innovating in the kitchen, his new favorite Applebee’s meal is the new Bourbon Street Mushroom Swiss Burger.
Chef Carrie Welt
Executive Chef, Culinary Innovation
Chef Carrie has an accomplished background in culinary R&D, catering, restaurants and hotel dining service. Her innovation work continues to grow and influence several of Applebee’s campaigns and the core menu. Her work in developing new food items with our supplier partners has put her on the map as a well-respected and highly creative Innovation Chef. She is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and a Master in Hospitality Management from Cornell University, a Certified Executive Chef with the American Culinary Federation, and has an Advanced Sommelier Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust.
Chef Cynthia Lara
Executive Chef, Culinary Innovation
Chef Cynthia Lara is an accomplished chef who started her culinary career at age 15 and went on to attend College of the Canyons for her AOS degree in Culinary Arts. Her attention to detail is evident in her Innovation work. She specializes in bringing heart and soul into every dish that she creates and drives the rest of the Culinary Team to do the same. Chef Cynthia’s palate is exceptional and has influenced the development of several of our current menu items. Her favorite time in the kitchen is with her family, where she makes sure there is something for everyone, which she also does for her guests at Applebee’s.