Faculty Profiles




Instructor Name: Aimee Olson

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Department Chair Baking & Pastry

Date Hired at School: 02/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • Bachelor of Arts — University of Denver 1994
  • Certificate Pastry — Le Cordon Bleu Paris
  • Certificate Pastry & Certificate Restaurant Management — The Cooking & Hospitality Institute of Chicago

Years in the Industry: 15

Favorite Dish: Foie Gras Seared, Anything Chocolate

Hobbies:

  • Knitting
  • Painting
  • Running

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Pastry Chef — Hotel Jerome, Aspen, CO
  • Pastry Chef, No9 Park, Boston, Mass

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Instructor Name: Bernard Kazenske

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Pastry Chef

Date Hired at School:

Education/Degree(s):

  • ACF Certified Executive Pastry
  • Approved Certification Evaluator

Years in the Industry:

Favorite Dish:

Hobbies:

Other Positions Held:

  • Worthington in Dallas, Texas;
  • The Cloister Resort Hotel in Sea Island, Georgia
  • The Peabody Hotel in Memphis
  • TSanibel Harbour Resort

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Instructor Name: Cara Anam

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/20/02

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Applied Science — University of Southern New Hampshire

Years in the Industry: 24

Favorite Dish: Risotto

Hobbies:

  • Swimming
  • Baking
  • Walking

Awards and/or Associations:

  • CEPC
  • RBA
  • Bread Baker's Guild

Other Positions Held: Pastry Chef

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Instructor Name: Clif J. Dickerson

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 05/21/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts — CIA
  • Secondary Teaching Certificate — Texas State University

Years in the Industry: 20

Favorite Dish: Pan-seared duck foie gras with red fruit compote, brioche

Hobbies:

  • Fishing
  • Hunting
  • Cooking

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Executive Chef, CEC
  • WRA Certified in Food & Beverage, Nutrition & Supervision
  • L'Esprit de Excellence

Other Positions Held:

  • Culinary Arts Instructor of Del-Valle ISD
  • Sodexho Marriott Executive Chef
  • Headliners Club

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Instructor Name: David Waggoner, CEC, FMP, BFA, AS, CCA.

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 04/11/04

Education/Degree(s):

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts — Ohio State University
  • Associates of Applied Science — Columbus State Community College

Years in the Industry: 27

Favorite Dish: Prime Rib

Hobbies:

  • Raising Kids
  • Fly Fishing
  • Gardening

Awards and/or Associations: CEC

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef SFA Intercontinental Hotel
  • Sous Chef Senate River Grill
  • Sous Chef Soaring Eagles Casino & Resort

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Instructor Name: Earl J. Vallery, Jr.

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/20/07

Education/Degree(s):

  • Certificate in Le Cordon Bleu Pâtisserie & Baking — Texas Culinary Academy
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts — Louisiana State University

Years in the Industry: 5

Favorite Dish: Paella

Hobbies:

  • Gardening
  • Music
  • Cooking

Awards and/or Associations:

  • ACF — Certified working pastry chef
  • American Culinary Federation Member

Other Positions Held:

  • Head Decorator/Pastry Lead — Central Market
  • Bakery Lead — Bread Alone Bakery
  • Pastry Chef — Ciola's Restaurant

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Instructor Name: Edna Lynn Porter

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 04/22/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • Associate of Occupational Studies, Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY 1976
  • Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas, Austin, TX
  • Business Foundations Certificate

Years in the Industry: 34

Hobbies:

  • Taking care of or being with my grandson
  • Cooking and having dinner with my friends
  • College football & Professional Tennis, watching sports

Awards and/or Associations:

  • International Association of Culinary Professionals; Certified Culinary Professional
  • Les Dames d'Escoffier International
  • ACF
  • NRAEF: Food Management Professional, Certified Serv Safe Instructor & Proctor

Other Positions Held:

  • Vice President and General Manager
  • Executive Chef and Manager
  • Caterer
  • Food & Beverage Manager

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Instructor Name: Ernie Beasley

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 02/23/04

Education/Degree(s):

  • Master of Science, Communication — Florida State
  • Bachelor of Science, Communication — Florida State

Years in the Industry: 28

Favorite Dish: Toro Sashimi

Hobbies:

  • Wine
  • Cigars
  • Scuba Diving

Awards and/or Associations:

  • NRAEF (FMP)
  • TRAEF
  • ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Director of Education
  • Executive Chef
  • Director of Training & Product Development
  • General Manager

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Instructor Name: Evan T. Morgan

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 04/22/02

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Occupational Studies — Johnson & Wales Summa Cum Laude Culinary Arts

Years in the Industry: 21

Favorite Dish: Steak

Hobbies:

  • Trim Moulding
  • Beer Making
  • TV Watching

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Executive Chef, ACF
  • Approved Culinary Examiner, ACF
  • Bronze Medal — Capital at Texas Chef's Ben E. Keith Food Show

Other Positions Held:

  • Personal Chef
  • Caterer

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Instructor Name: Gary O. Ackerman

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 10/15/98

Education/Degree(s): Pursuing Bachelor's Degree — Occupational Studies, Texas State University

Years in the Industry: 30

Favorite Dish: Snapper Ranchero at Paesano's, San Antonio

Hobbies:

  • Fly Fishing
  • Woodworking
  • British Cars

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Student Choice Award — 2003
  • Teaching Excellence Award — 2005

Other Positions Held:

  • Chef, Owner, Manager of Own Restaurant 1993-1998
  • Executive Chef, Emily Morhag Hotel — Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, 1990-1993
  • Exec Sous Chef — La Provence, San Antonio, 1991-1993

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Instructor Name: Graham Mitchell

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Applied Science — Johnson & Wales

Years in the Industry: 17

Favorite Dish: Miso Marinated Sea Bass

Hobbies:

  • Reading
  • Weightlifting

Awards and/or Associations:

  • L'Esprit de Excellence
  • Certified Executive Chef
  • ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef — Scottsdale, AZ
  • Executive Sous Chef — Restaurant Budo, Napa, CA
  • Sous Chef — Scottsdale, AZ

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Instructor Name: Gregory Ritter

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 09/13/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • Associate of Occupational Studies in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts — California Culinary Academy
  • Bachelor of Arts — UT Austin

Years in the Industry: 12

Favorite Dish: Roasted Chicken, mashed potatoes, brussell sprouts

Hobbies:

  • Bicycling
  • Electric Bass Guitar
  • Upright Acoustic Bass

Awards and/or Associations: FMP

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Instructor Name: Jacquelyn Parchman, CWPC

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/04/03

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Applied Science — Food & Beverage Management — Texas Culinary Academy

Years in the Industry: 12

Favorite Dish: Crawfish Etouffee (to eat), Sourdough Bread (to bake)

Hobbies:

  • Cross-Stitching
  • Crocheting
  • Baking

Awards and/or Associations: National Member, American Culinary Federation

Other Positions Held:

  • Asst Pastry Chef
  • Line Cook
  • Baker

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Instructor Name: Jane A. Nickles

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 04/01/97

Education/Degree(s):

  • Master of Business Administration — California State University
  • Bachelor of Arts Political Science — UC Berkeley

Years in the Industry: 28

Favorite Dish: Smoked Salmon with Riesling

Hobbies:

  • Theater — Patron and Critic
  • Travel
  • Writing for Wine & Food Journals

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Educator of the Year – Professional Development 2007
  • Certified Specialist of Wine
  • Speaker for the Society of Wine Educators & Wine & Food Foundation of Texas

Other Positions Held:

  • Food & Beverage Director – Bristol Hotels & Resorts
  • Banquet & Catering Director – Holiday Inns

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Instructor Name: Jayson Reynolds

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 03/15/02

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Applied Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts — Texas Culinary Academy

Years in the Industry: 25

Favorite Dish: Steak and Fries

Hobbies:

  • Brewing Beer
  • Movies
  • Gaming
  • Snowskiing

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Member ACF
  • Member IACP
  • FMP, NRAEF

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef
  • Sous Chef
  • Chef de Cuisine

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Instructor Name: Jennie Shields

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Pastry Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/27/07

Education/Degree(s):

  • BA International Politics/Russian Studies - Tulane University
  • Associate of Applied Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts - Texas Culinary Academy

Years in the Industry: 9

Favorite Dish: Peanut Butter Cookies

Hobbies:

  • Yoga
  • Girl Scouting
  • Cooking
Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Working Pastry Chef from ACF
  • Educator of the Year
  • Student Success Nominee 2010

Other Positions Held:

  • Bakery Production Manager, Central Market North Lamar
  • Pastry Chef, Central Market North Lamar
  • Freelance Wedding Cake Designer

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Instructor Name: Kevin M. Quinn

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Culinary Department Chair

Date Hired at School: 1/06/03

Education/Degree(s):Associate of Occupational Studies, Culinary Arts - Culinary Institute of America

Years in the Industry: 23

Favorite Dish: Paella

Hobbies:

  • Dinner parties
  • Golf

Awards and/or Associations:

  • American Culinary Federation
  • Certified Executive Chef

Other Positions Held:

  • Restaurant Instructor
  • Executive Chef — Gotham Restaurant Group

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Instructor Name: Jennifer E. McClintick

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 10/03/05

Education/Degree(s):

  • Certificate — Baking & Pastry Arts, Baltimore Culinary College
  • Bachelor of Science, Fashion Merchandising — Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Years in the Industry: 15

Favorite Dish: Anything chocolate

Hobbies:

  • Photography
  • Gardening
  • Cycling

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Working Pastry Chef – ACF
  • Foodservice Management Professional – NRAEF
  • Serv Safe - NRAEF

Other Positions Held:

  • Pastry Chef — Melisse, Santa Monica, CA
  • Pastry Chef — Zoe, NY, NY
  • Pastry Chef — Mark's Place, Miami, FL

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Instructor Name: John R. Maroon

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 01/04/09

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.O.S. Culinary Institute of America, 1991
  • B.P.S. Culinary Institute of America, 1996

Years in the Industry: 23

Favorite Dish: Filet Mignon Rossini

Hobbies:

  • Musical Instruments
  • Golf
  • Wines
Awards and/or Associations:

  • First Level Certified Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
  • Certified Associate, Federation of Dining Room Professionals
  • Recipient of the Hospitality Award, Les Chaines des Rotisseurs
  • TABC Certified for Beverage Service

Other Positions Held:

  • Sous Chef, Glenmaura National Golf Club, Moosic, PA
  • Executive Sous Chef, Marvelous Muggs, Moosic, PA
  • Executive Chef/Owner, Venticello Ristorante, San Francisco, CA
  • Managing Partner, Perdix, Inc., San Francisco, CA
  • General Manager, House of Prime Rib, San Francisco, CA
  • General Manager, Finn & Porter, Austin, TX

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Instructor Name: John Mims

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 09/03

Education/Degree(s): B.A. - Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas

Years in the Industry: 33

Favorite Dish: Duck and Stacked Enchiladas

Hobbies:

  • Tennis
  • Fishing
  • Gardening

Awards and/or Associations:

  • ACF Member and CEC Certified
  • FMP
  • NRA Professional Cooking Certificate
  • Chef of the Year Reader’s Poll Austin Chronicle
  • Past President of the Slow Food Austin Chapter for 5 Years

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef in Italian, Interior Mexican and Southwest Cuisine
  • Executive Chef, Central Market Austin
  • Did catering for Movies, TV Commercials and the Tour du Pont Bike Race

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Instructor Name: Kevin Stork

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 12/19/01

Education/Degree(s):

  • Bachelor of Arts, Liberal Arts — University of Texas, Austin
  • Associate of Applied Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts — Texas Culinary Academy

Years in the Industry: 20

Favorite Dish: Duck Confit

Hobbies:

  • Wargaming
  • Collecting Books
  • History

Awards and/or Associations: ACF

Other Positions Held: Executive Chef Southern Foods

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Instructor Name: Lauren Downing

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Pastry Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 11/09/10

Education/Degree(s):

  • AOS in Baking and Pastry Arts - Culinary Institute of America
  • BPS in Hotel and Restaurant Management - Culinary Institute of America

Years in the Industry: 9

Favorite Dish: Everything

Hobbies:

  • Yoga
  • Baking
  • Music

Awards and/or Associations:

  • ServSafe Certificate
  • TABC Certificate
  • CPR/AED Certificate

Other Positions Held:

  • Pastry Chef, Austin Cookie Lounge, TX
  • Pastry Cook, Georgian Dining Room, GA
  • Stager, Jean Georges, NY
  • Pastry Chef, 100 Hudson Restaurant, GA
  • Lead Pastry Cook, Sea Island Company, GA
  • Pastry Cook, Top of the Hub Restaurant, MA

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Instructor Name: Lloyd Banks

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 06/10/08

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Applied Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Hospitality & Restaurant Management — Texas Culinary Academy

Years in the Industry: 18

Favorite Dish:

  • Chili, Beans & Cornbread
  • French Fries
  • Ice Cream

Hobbies:

  • Sports
  • Video Games
  • Sudoku Puzzles

Awards and/or Associations: ACF

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Instructor Name: Mark Chapman

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Pastry Chef

Date Hired at School:

Education/Degree(s): Associate’s Degree in International Pastry Arts - Johnson and Wales in Charleston, South Carolina

Years in the Industry:

Favorite Dish:

Hobbies:

Other Positions Held:

  • Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas
  • La Mansion in San Antonio, Texas
  • Maxims in New York City
  • The Four Seasons in New York City

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Instructor Name: Marc Doherty

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 02/18/08

Education/Degree(s):

  • Associate of Applied Science — Texas Culinary Academy
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Marketing — Georgetown University

Years in the Industry: 8

Favorite Dish: Fajitas

Hobbies:

  • Chocolate
  • Travel
  • Running

Awards and/or Associations:

  • American Culinary Federation
  • Fine Chocolate Industry Association

Other Positions Held:

  • Bakery Team Leader — Whole Foods Market
  • Associate Team Leader — Whole Foods Market
  • Head Chocolatier — Whole Foods Market
  • Pastry Cook — Driskill Hotel

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Instructor Name: Matt Williams

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/13/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • Master of Science – Adult Education, Oklahoma State University
  • Bachelor of Science – Hotel/Restaurant Admin, Oklahoma State University

Years in the Industry: 17

Favorite Dish: Home-made Pasta

Hobbies:

  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Gardening

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Teacher of the Year — Tri-County, Bartlesville, OK
  • Region Teacher of the Year, Oklahoma

Other Positions Held:

  • Restaurant owner
  • Restaurant G.M.
  • Culinary Arts Instructor

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Instructor Name: Michelle Antonishek

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 11/07

Education/Degree(s):

  • The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park,NY
  • CEPC

Years in the Industry: 15

Favorite Dish: Steak (rare)

Hobbies:

  • Cooking
  • Reading Cook Books
  • Playing With My Son

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Member of ACF
  • Serve Safe, TX, Chicago
  • First Aid Certified
  • Austin American Statesman — 09.2008
  • Dining Out Chicago Magazine — Spring/Summer 2007
  • Rest & Institution Magazine — 12.2006

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Pastry Chef — Four Seasons Hotel Chicago 09.2005-11.2007
  • Executive Pastry Chef — Ritz Carlton, Fours Seasons Hotel, Chicago 03.2005-09.2005
  • Executive Pastry Chef — Gramercy Tavern 08.2002-03.2005

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Instructor Name: Mitchell Witkin

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 07/08/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • Bachelor of Arts — Political Science, University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Associate of Occupational Studies — Culinary Arts, CIA, Hyde Park, NY

Years in the Industry: About 30 years

Favorite Dish: Prime Rib

Hobbies:

  • Golf
  • Live Music
  • Gardening

Awards and/or Associations:

  • ACF
  • IACP
  • Nominated for Educator of the year, CEC Student Success 2008

Other Positions Held: Scholarship IP coordinator at Texas Culinary Academy

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Instructor Name: Paul B. Macry

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 09/27/02

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Applied Science — Western Culinary Institute

Years in the Industry: 30

Favorite Dish: The one I am eating.

Hobbies:

  • Snow boarding
  • Biking
  • Ice Carving

Awards and/or Associations:

  • ACF medalist – cold food
  • ACF member

Other Positions Held: Student Mentor

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Instructor Name: Robert Brady

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 07/06/07

Education/Degree(s):

  • Bachelor of Business Administration — University of Texas, Austin 1983
  • Associate Degree Construction Management — Richmond College, Dallas, TX

Years in the Industry: 31

Favorite Dish: Pan-Seared Duck Foie Gras with Red Fruit Compote, Brioche

Hobbies:

  • Landscaping/Gardening
  • Carpentry
  • Golf

Awards and/or Associations:

  • American Culinary Federation
  • McCombs School of Business Advisory Board

Other Positions Held:

  • Chef Aquarelle Restaurant Francais
  • President Corporate Equities Management, Inc.
  • Vice President, Nordal Properties, Inc. Development Company

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Instructor Name: Stephen Cash

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 05/01/02

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Applied Science Seattle Community College

Years in the Industry: 15

Favorite Dish: Honey Pie

Hobbies:

  • Linguistics
  • Gardening
  • Recalcitrant Automobiles

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Member ACF
  • Member LACP
  • Student choice award

Other Positions Held:

  • Chef, The Bitter End, Austin, TX
  • Chef du Cuisine, The Granite Café, Austin, TX
  • Sous Chef, Boulevard Bistrot, Austin, TX

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Instructor Name: Steve Smith

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Vice President of Academic Affairs

Date Hired at School: 06/06/05

Education/Degree(s):

  • Master of Arts, Religion — Yale University
  • Bachelor of Arts, English — University of Texas at Austin

Years in the Industry: 21

Favorite Dish: Medium Rare Ribeye

Hobbies:

  • Writing
  • Bowling
  • Swimming

Other Positions Held:

  • Assistant Vice President, Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation
  • Positions in management and student administration at various universities

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Instructor Name: Steven Loiacono

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 10/12/07

Education/Degree(s): Associate in Culinary Arts, Johnson & Wales, RI

Years in the Industry: 20

Favorite Dish: Osso Boco

Hobbies:

  • Going to the Gym
  • Cooking

Awards and/or Associations:

  • ACF
  • Above & Beyond 2008
  • Food Manager Certified

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef
  • Owner
  • Management

Instructor Name: Talyon Lange

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Austin, TX

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 10/28/02

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Applied Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu - Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin (formerly Texas Culinary Academy)

Years in the Industry: 19

Favorite Dish: Bacon

Hobbies: Motorsports

Awards and/or Associations: Certified Executive Chef with the ACF, WACS

Other Positions Held:

  • Four Season Hotel, Austin, TX
  • Sous Chef, Brinker International
  • Chef, Café 24
  • Chef, City Grill
  • Chef, Oasis

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