John Farrish | SIU

Dr. John Farrish is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition. He teaches a variety of courses in Hospitality Management, including Food and Labor Cost Control and Facilities Management. Dr. Farrish had a twenty-five-year career in the hospitality industry, managing food and beverage operations in major hotels in both San Francisco and Las Vegas as well as in independent restaurants. After leaving the hospitality industry Dr. Farrish earned his Ph.D. degree at the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Dr. Farrish is a member of a variety of academic and professional organizations and is an officer of the International Hospitality Information Technology Association. He is the author of the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s primer on food and beverage information systems and his research has been published in highly regarded peer-reviewed academic journals including the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management and the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education.

Dr. Farrish first started coming to the Carbondale area, however, shortly after he went to work for Mr. Mills in the 1990's and long considered it his second home before making it his actual home. As an avid barbecuer, Dr. Farrish has competed in many BBQ competitions and received a few trophies for his outstanding food. He is the advisor for the SIU Student Barbecue Club, Smokin’ Dawgs.

Dr. Farrish’s research focuses on IT applications for small businesses and the effects of recession on the various segments of the hospitality industry.