"It has been a great pleasure working with Alhen. He is not only highly knowledgeable in the food industry, but also truly passionate about his work. He is friendly, listens carefully, and genuinely cares about people. Alhen has a deep understanding of how food businesses operate—from daily production to requirements of all food business permits and certificates. He is thoughtful, reliable, and always ready to offer practical solutions tailored to each unique situation. He took the time to observe the production process in my business and gave me many valuable suggestions to improve my workflow.... I have full confidence that he will bring great value to any food company. His professional expertise, combined with his caring and dedicated attitude, makes him a trusted and inspiring advisor. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to improve and grow their food business."ea. Maybe you want to launch a business.”

"Alhen's deep knowledge of the food service industry has been a game-changer for my business. His expertise in food and facility safety and his thorough understanding of industry regulations have been instrumental throughout my first years. He has a way of thinking outside the box that helps me improve efficiency and make smarter decisions, and his knowledge of and connections with the local market have opened doors for growth. His consultation continues to expand with my business; I would not be here without him. "

"I worked with Alhen for three years in a shared commercial kitchen. He's always encouraging and eager to help people figure things out. Any time I had a question or problem, he was there to listen and help however he could. His energy was an asset to our community, and he has stayed in touch and willing to help all of us even after he moved on to new projects. Thanks friend!"

From the beginning of our time as a catering business to when we opened our first brick and mortar location, we've been able to count on Alhen for support. He's one of the first people in Knoxville to have invested his time and energy in our business from day one whether it was through small repair and installation projects, or through brain-storming ways to grow in Knoxville without compromising our brand and standards. Not only is Alhen extremely well connected in the service industry in Knoxville, but his years of experience on both sides of the counter in various small food businesses make him a real asset to any team. Most importantly, Alhen is a great human being that genuinely cares about other people. We've been really grateful to have Alhen in our corner as small business owners and as a friend. 

“Alhen was a major asset to my small batch manufacturing food business. His knowledge of food and safety regulations and manufacturing policies, both on a state level and national level, are immeasurable. His understanding of the industry is vast and he is continually furthering his education to better assist his clients and their specific needs. Alhen worked tirelessly to find ways to streamline the manufacturing process, identify cost saving strategies while maintaining food quality and controls. He is easy to collaborate with and he effectively communicates his knowledge to his clients.”

As the owner of Daddy D's Food Truck, I would like to say a few words about the positive impact Alhen Drillich had in fostering the growth of my small business. As a member of Real Good Kitchen, a shared kitchen space in Knoxville, Daddy D's was given several opportunities to share its specialties (fried chicken and banana pudding) through RGK's catering program. Alhen, Director of Operations at RGK, was instrumental in getting our food to a broader audience. There was such positive feedback from the catering events that Alhen encouraged even more growth within my business. While I had my doubts, Alhen did not. He insisted that Daddy D's food was delicious enough to be packaged. Within a few weeks, I had my food manufacturing license through the state of Tennessee. Thanks to Alhen, Daddy D's is currently offering two products at Three Rivers Market in Knoxville: Teddy Lee's Banana Pudding (offered daily on TRM's cold bar) and Teddy Lee's Blueberry Bliss (packaged for TRM's Grab & Go section).  When I started my food truck 4 years ago, I had no ambition of doing anything other than frying chicken and selling it off of the truck. Alhen not only opened a door to other possibilities, but he also gingerly pushed me through it. To say the least, I am very grateful that he did.