Faculty Profiles




Instructor Name: Todd Anderson

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 03/00

Education/Degree(s):

  • Diploma — Accounting
  • CCE Certificate — ACF, Minnesota

Favorite Dish:

  • Osso Buco
  • Hostess Fruit Pies

Other Positions Held:

  • Line Cook — Grandma’s Restaurant, Minnesota
  • Sous Chef — California Café Corporation, Minnesota
  • Chef/Consultant — ADE Partnership, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Suzanne Berg

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — Speech

Education/Degree(s):

  • M.A., Speech Communication — Minnesota State University, Mankato
    Thesis Title: The Rhetoric of Personal Protest
  • B.A., Speech Communication — Minnesota State University, Mankato

Other Positions Held:

  • Recruiter — Altig International
  • Competitive College & High School Speech Coach, (Forensics) — Lakeville S. High School
  • Coached Competitive College and High School Speech — Minnesota State University, Mankato & Lakeville South High School (Students were members of the All-American Forensic Team, National Semi-Finalist, National Finalist, and Pentathalon)

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Instructor Name: Paul Bergsbaken

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 06/04

Education/Degree(s):

  • Bachelor of Professional Studies — Culinary Arts Management
  • Associate of Occupational Science — Culinary Arts

Favorite Dish: Lentils

Other Positions Held: Personal Chef

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Instructor Name: Farley Decker

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Department Chair — Culinary Arts

Date Hired at School: 06/04

Education/Degree(s): Art Institute International Minneapolis

Favorite Dish: Southwestern and Mexican

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef — Garden Room Weddings, Minnesota
  • Director of Dining — Aramark, Minnesota
  • Director of Corporate Catering — Classic Fare, New Mexico

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Instructor Name: Althea Dixon

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — English, Psychology

Education/Degree(s):

  • MA, Family Social Science — University of Minnesota
  • BA, Theatre/English — Yankton College

Other Positions Held:

  • Co-Chair — Families in Recovery conference
  • Advisory Committee Member — Home Team Program (YMCA)
  • Field Operations Supervisor — U.S. Bureau of the Census
  • Service Coordinator — Ceridian Employer Services

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Instructor Name: R. Wendell Ellis

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — Economics

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.B. — Columbia College, Columbia University (NYC)
  • J.D. — Iowa College of Law
  • M.B.A. — University of Missouri
  • D.B.A. — New York University/Argosy

Other Positions Held:

  • Manufacturers Hanover Trust (NYC)
  • JC Penney – Treasurers Division (NYC)
  • King Resources (Denver)
  • Medical Investment Corporation
  • Fingerhut Corporation
  • Land O’ Lakes
  • Speech Gear Inc. (Northfield, MN)

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Instructor Name: Carrie Franzen

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 06/05

Education/Degree(s):

  • Bachelor of Arts — Advertising
  • Certificate in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts

Favorite Dish: Making Pies for Friends and Family

Other Positions Held:

  • JP American Bistro — Minnesota
  • Cooks of Crocus Hill — Minnesota
  • Crema Café — Minnesota
  • Baker’s Wife Pastry Shoppe — Minnesota
  • Aquavit — Minnesota
  • Ovens of Brittany — Wisconsin

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Instructor Name: Gil Gaitan

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 03/99

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

Other Positions Held:

  • Chef de Cuisine — Outing Lodge at Pine Point, Minnesota
  • Executive Chef — Pronto Ristorante, Minnesota
  • Head Chef — Christos, Minnesota
  • Chef de Cuisine — The Dock Café, Minnesota
  • Sous Chef — Dakota Bar and Grill, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Michelle Gayer

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 02/06

Education/Degree(s): Went to Kendall College.

Favorite Dish: Brioche

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Pastry Chef — Franklin Street Baker, Minnesota
  • Pastry Chef — Trotters to Go, Illinois
  • Pastry Chef — Charlie Trotters, Illinois
  • Pastry Chef — Campanile, California

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Instructor Name: Ken Goff

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 05/05

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

Favorite Dish: American Regional, Especially Using MN Products

Other Positions Held: Executive Chef — The Dakota, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Toufik Halimi

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 09/01

Education/Degree(s):

  • Associate of Applied Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts
  • Certificate in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts

Favorite Dish: Fresh Seafood, Preferably in Seattle

Other Positions Held: Executive Chef — W.A. Frost, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Daniel Hubert

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 04/02

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

Favorite Dishes:

  • Huitres fine de Claire
  • Tete de Veau Sauce Ravigote
  • Andouillette d’Amiens

Other Positions Held:

  • Chef — Hotel Sofitel, Minnesota
  • Owner/Operator — Napoleon Bakery, Minnesota
  • Owner/Operator — Daniel’s, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Jonathan Kaye

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/01

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

Favorite Dish: Thai and Sushi

Other Positions Held:

  • WA. Frost, Minnesota
  • Union Square Café, New York
  • Equinox Hotel and Resort, Vermont
  • Private Chef

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Instructor Name: Van Keszler

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

Date Hired at School: 09/02

Education/Degree(s): Bachelor of Arts — Speech, Communications, English

Favorite Dish: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Other Positions Held:

  • Magic Pan, Minnesota
  • Bigsby’s Café, Minnesota
  • Tri-City Restaurants, Minnesota
  • Embassy Suites Hotels, Minnesota
  • Chevy’s Fresh Mex, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: John Kohagen

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — English, Speech, Psychology, Literature

Education/Degree(s):

  • BA, Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature — University of Minnesota
  • MA, English Literature — University of Northern Iowa
  • MA, Marriage & Family Therapy — St. Mary’s, University of Minnesota (pending)

Other Positions Held: Coordinator — Learning Resource Center

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Instructor Name: Lou Krueger

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/06

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

Favorite Dish: Wild Game and Naturally Harvested

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef — Mooselips Java Joint
  • Chef — Jersey Sports Bar and Catering

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Instructor Name: Anne Loger

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Assistant Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 10/07

Education/Degree(s):

  • Bachelor of Arts — Luther College, Communications/Linguistics
  • Associate of Applied Science in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts — Minneapolis/St. Paul

Favorite Dish: Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream

Other Positions Held:

  • LakeAir Aviation Catering, Minnesota
  • Bistro on the Greens, Mackinac Island, Michigan
  • Brackett’s Crossing Country Club, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Laura Mell

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 06/04

Education/Degree(s): Associate of Occupational Science — Culinary Arts

Favorite Dish: Anything with Sugar

Other Positions Held:

  • Pastry Chef — La Belle Vie, Minnesota
  • Pastry Chef — Palomino, Minnesota
  • Owner — Mell’s Beauty Bar, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Kariann Pajak

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — Psychology

Education/Degree(s):

  • BA, Psychology — St. Mary’s University, Winona
  • MA, Counseling and Psychological Services — St. Mary’s University, Minneapolis
  • Certificate of Graduate Study in Marriage and Family Therapy — St. Mary’s University, Minneapolis

Other Positions Held:

  • Residential Supervisor Assistant — ACR Homes, Inc.
  • Practicum Experience — Advanced Behavioral Health
  • Learning Resource Coordinator, — Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts
  • Licensed Associate Marriage & Family Therapy (LAMFT) — Associated Clinic of Psychology

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Instructor Name: Pierre Rabbia

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/99

Education/Degree(s): B.T.S. Hotellerie Restauration (Hotel & Restaurant Management)

Favorite Dish: Provencal Cooking

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Instructor Name: Sarah Reith

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — English, Speech, Literature

Education/Degree(s):

  • MA — Education, Michigan State University
  • BA — German, St. Olaf College

Other Positions Held:

  • English and German Teacher — St. John’s Preparatory School
  • German Teacher — International School of Düsseldorf

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Instructor Name: Jason Ross

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 01/06

Education/Degree(s): Bachelor of Art — Art

Favorite Dish: Ceviche on a Mexican Beach

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef — Solera, Minnesota
  • Executive Chef — Wildfire, Minnesota
  • Assistant Pastry Chef — Aquavit, Minnesota
  • Line Cook, Bouley Bakery — New York
  • Line Cook, Origami — Minnesota
  • Line Cook — D’Amico Cucina, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Mark Seaberg

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 07/00

Education/Degree(s): Bachelor of Arts — History

Favorite Dish: Wine

Other Positions Held:

  • Wine Ambassador — BV Winery
  • Lead Server — Aquavit, Minnesota
  • Lead Server — Zanders, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Steven Shapley

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Director of Education

Date Hired at School: 01/03

Education/Degree(s): Bachelor of Arts — English

Favorite Dish: Grilling, As It’s Fun to Do and Conducive to Entertaining

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef — Elms Resort and Spa Hotel, Missouri
  • Marketing Associate — Sysco of Kansas City
  • Executive Chef and Corporate Trainer — KC Hops Brewing Co., Kansas

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Instructor Name: Amy Shipshock

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Department Chair — Pâtisserie & Baking

Date Hired at School: 09/03

Education/Degree(s): Went to the Art Institute International Minneapolis

Favorite Dish: Chocolate!!

Other Positions Held:

  • Pastry Chef — Dakota Bar and Grill, Minnesota
  • Pastry Chef — WA Frost, Minnesota
  • Pastry Chef — White Bear Yacht Club, Minnesota
  • Pastry Chef — Murray’s Steak House, Minnesota
  • Pastry Chef — Bayport Cookery, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Ryan Siess

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Education/Degree(s):

  • Associate Degree — Food Service Management, University of Montana
  • Certificate — Baking and Pastry, Culinary Institute of America Greystone

Other Positions Held:

  • University of Montana Catering, Missoula, MT
  • Wine Spectator Restaurant, St. Helena, CA
  • The American Club, Kohler, WI
  • Truffles and Tortes, Plymoth, MN
  • Oakridge Conference Center, Chaska, MN

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Instructor Name: Jeremy Sledge

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 09/03

Other Positions Held: Tavern on the Green

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Instructor Name: Frederic J. Stenborg

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — Environmental Science and Developmental Mathematics

Education/Degree(s):

  • BSCEE University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • MSCEE University of Wisconsin-Madison

Other Positions Held:

  • Math Instructor — Arlington and Harding High Schools, St. Paul, MN
  • Science and Math Specialist and Intersession Instructor — Crossroads Elementary, St. Paul, MN
  • Special Education and Gifted Support Instructor — Hamline-Hancock Elementary, St. Paul, MN
  • Substitute Instructor — St. Paul School District
  • Professional Engineer (WI & MN) for 20 years, Environmental and Wastewater specialties
  • Project Engineer — Metropolitan Council Environment Services(Twin Cities)
  • Private Consulting Engineer — Bonestroo and Associates, Roseville, MN
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources — Wastewater/Water Engineer

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Instructor Name: Jeris Swanhorst

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — English, Literature

Education/Degree(s):

  • BA, English Literature — Minnesota State University, Mankato
  • MA, English Literature — Minnesota State University, Mankato

Other Positions Held:

  • Volunteer Staff Member — Composition Merit Awards Journal, MSU, Mankato
  • Writing Tutor — MSU, Mankato
  • Adjunct Instructor — English Department, Minnesota State University, Mankato

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Instructor Name: Randall Toenges

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 10/05

Education/Degree(s):

  • Bachelor of Arts — Business Administration/Marketing Management
  • Associate of Occupational Science — Culinary Institute of America

Favorite Dish to Cook: American Regional

Other Positions Held:

  • Business Development Manager, — Baker Sales Co., Minnesota
  • Chef — Bobino Café & Wine Bar, Minnesota
  • Chef de Cuisine — Backstage @ Bravo, Minnesota
  • Contract Manager — Bon Appetite Management Co., Minnesota
  • Chef — Lowry’s, Minnesota
  • Sous Chef — California Café, Minnesota
  • Line Cook — 510 Groveland, Minnesota
  • Line Cook — Un, Deux, Trois, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Clarence Trenda

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 05/02

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

Favorite Dish: Soups and Bread

Other Positions Held:

  • Chef Instructor — Dakota County Technical College, Minnesota
  • Chef/owner — Covered Bridge, Minnesota
  • Pastry Chef — St. Paul Hotel, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Dan Vasterling

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 09/06

Education/Degree(s):

  • Associate of Applied Science — Culinary Arts St. Paul College
  • Chef’s Diploma

Favorite Dish: Northern Italian Cuisine

Other Positions Held:

  • Restaurant Owner — Dan & Molly’s Family Restaurant, Minnesota
  • Executive Chef — Midland Hills Country Club, Minnesota
  • Executive Chef — White Bear Country Inn, Minnesota

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Instructor Name: Jule Vranian

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Education/Degree(s): Associate Degree — SF City College Hotel and Restaurant Program

Favorite Dish: Fresh Berry & Fruit Pies and Tarts

Other Positions Held:

  • Pastry Chef — Lucia's
  • Nick and Eddy Restaurant Minneapolis

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Instructor Name: Andy Wahlstrom

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — Economics

Education/Degree(s):

  • BA, Economics — University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • MBA, Marketing — University of Wisconsin, Madison

Other Positions Held:

  • Supervisor — Randall Valu Center Grocery Store
  • Supervisor — Retirement Services, Piper Jaffray
  • Teaching Assistant — Economics, UW Madison
  • Project Assistant — International Marketing, UW Madison
  • Marketing Volunteer — Big Brothers, Big Sisters

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Instructor Name: Aaron Wilson

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Instructor — Environmental Science

Education/Degree(s):

  • BA, Creative Writing, Rhetoric & Discourse — Beloit College, Beloit, WI
  • Minor, Environmental Studies — Beloit College, Beloit, WI
  • MFA, Writing — Hamline University, Saint Paul, MN

Other Positions Held:

  • Substitute Instructor — Township High School District 211, Palatine, IL, Community Consolidated District 15, Palatine, IL, Township High School District 214, Arlington Heights, IL
  • Customer Care Manager — Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis, MN
  • Inventory Manger — Borders Books, Music, and Café, Richfield, MN
  • Sales Manager — Borders Books, Music, and Café, Minneapolis, MN
  • Assistant Store Manager — Anderson’s Books, Downers Grove, IL

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Instructor Name: Walter Wittwen

LCB School: Minneapolis/St. Paul

School Current Position: Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/99

Education/Degree(s):

  • Associate of Applied Science Degree in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts
  • Swiss Chef’s Diploma

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef — Hyatt Hotels, TX, LA, IL
  • Executive Chef — Radisson Hotels, TX, MN

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