Faculty Profiles




Instructor Name: Tony Adams

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 04/05/04

Education/Degree(s):

  • BS Culinary Arts — Johnson & Wales University
  • Culinary Arts Certificate — Mid-Maine Technical Center

Years in the Industry: 13

Favorite Dish: Foi Gras Parfait with Toasted Brioche and Wild Mushroom Ragout from Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons in England.

Hobbies: Photography

Other Positions Held:

  • The Hi Hat, Providence, RI — Chef de Cuisine
  • The Empire, Providence, RI — Operations Manager
  • Le Manoir au Quat, Saisons, Oxfordshire, England — Stagier

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Instructor Name: Eric Andre

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor/Faculty Advisor for the Escoffier Club

Date Hired at School: 10/31/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • B.S. Culinary Arts — Breyer State University, Idaho
  • B.S. Business Administration — Western Governors University

Years in the Industry: 35

Favorite Dish: A Good Lamb Stew

Hobbies: Building Models

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Executive Chef, ACF
  • Vice President of Les Amis d’Escoffier Society of Orlando, FL
  • Commanderie des Cordons Bleus de France

Other Positions Held:

  • Chef Instructor — Southeastern Academy
  • Supervisor Chef — Mary Kay Restaurant
  • Executive Chef — American Festival Café Restaurant
  • Head Chef — Roux Restaurant LTD, London, England
  • Chef Tournant — Hotel Du Lac, Coppet, Switzerland
  • First Commis de Cuisine — Le Carlton Hotel Restaurant, Lausant, Switzerland

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Instructor Name: Richard Barth

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Department Chairman

Date Hired at School: 07/25/02

Education/Degree(s): B.S. Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management — Breyer State University

Years in the Industry: 40

Favorite Dish: Tarte Flambee

Hobbies: Motorcycle Riding

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Executive Chef — ACF
  • Certified Culinary Educator — ACF
  • Certified Hospitality Instructor — American Hotel & Lodging Association

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef — Christini’s Ristorante Italiano
  • Assistant Executive Chef — Chefs de France Restaurant, Epcot at Walt Disney World
  • GM/Executive Chef — Poor Richard’s

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Instructor Name: Loren Brassil

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor /Faculty Advisor for the Cheese Club

Date Hired at School: 10/2/06

Education/Degree(s):

  • AS Culinary Arts — Johnson & Wales, Providence, RI
  • BS Food Service Management — Johnson & Wales, Providence, RI

Years in the Industry: 25

Favorite Dish: Most Things With a Little Wine

Hobbies: Gardening

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Women Chefs and Restauranteurs
  • James Beard Professional Member
  • “Top Ten Best New Chefs” — Food & Wine Magazine Jul 2000
  • “Best Chefs in New England” New England Travel & Life — July 2003
  • James Beard Dinner at James Beard House — April 2001

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef — Seasons 52, Orlando, FL
  • Restaurant Consultant — Hi-Hat, Providence, RI
  • Chef/Owner — Empire Restaurant, Providence, RI
  • Kitchen Manager — Alforno, Providence, RI

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Instructor Name: Tyler Brassil

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Adjunct Culinary Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 02/19/04

Education/Degree(s):

  • AS Culinary Arts — Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI
  • BS Food Service Management — Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI

Years in the Industry: 18

Favorite Dish: My Wife’s Cooking

Hobbies: Doing Guy Stuff With My Two Sons

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Top 10 Best Sous Chefs in the Country — Bertoli Olive Oil/Food & Wine Magazine
  • James Beard House Dinner — April 2001

Other Positions Held:

  • Empire Restaurant, Providence, RI — General Manager, Chef de Cuisine
  • The Regatta at Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA — Executive Sous Chef

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Instructor Name: Christopher Cleare

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Chef Instructor — Pâtisserie & Baking

Date Hired at School: 10/01/07

Education/Degree(s): AS Culinary Arts — Art Institute, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Years in the Industry: 10

Hobbies: Volunteer Work — Hurricane Relief, Taste of Companion, Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Lauderdale

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Service Award — Orlando, FL
  • Service Award — Chef’s Palette
  • Certificate of Appreciation — The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

Other Positions Held:

  • Training Manager, Culinary — Orange County Public Schools
  • Baking Supervisor — The Wild Bean Café
  • Chef/Baker — Big Sky Bread Company
  • Sous Chef — La Ferme

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Instructor Name: Kristine Demchenko

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Adjunct Chef Instructor — Pâtisserie & Baking

Date Hired at School: 01/07/08

Education/Degree(s): A.O.S. Culinary Arts — Culinary Institute of America

Years in the Industry: 12

Favorite Dish: Duck Cassoulet

Hobbies:

  • Boating
  • Traveling
  • Baseball

Awards and/or Associations: 1st Level Sommelier — Master Court of Sommeliers

Other Positions Held:

  • Sales Representative — U.S. Food Service
  • Banquet Chef — Reunion Resort
  • Concept Chef — Urban Flats
  • Restaurant Chef — St. Regis Hotel & Spa
  • Opening Lead Chef — Seasons 52

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Instructor Name: Jennifer Denlinger

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor/Faculty Advisor for the Sprouts Club

Date Hired at School: 04/07/03

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.A. Gen Ed — St. Petersburg Junior College, St. Petersburg, FL
  • B.S. Hospitality Management — Rosen College at UCF, Orlando, FL

Years in the Industry: 13

Favorite Dish: Seasonal Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Hobbies:

  • Gardening
  • Cooking
  • Swimming

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Hospitality Educator
  • Published “The Tradition of Tea” for California Food & Wine online magazine
  • Levels 1 & 2 Certification with the Specialty Tea Institute

Other Positions Held:

  • Cook — Walt Disney World
  • Cook — Wine Cellar Restaurant

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Instructor Name: Kathleen Eberhardt

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Instructor — Safety, Sanitation & Nutrition

Date Hired at School: 09/03/08

Education/Degree(s): B.S. Home Economics — Bradley University, Peoria, IL

Years in the Industry: 30

Favorite Dish:

  • Leg of Lamb
  • Reuben Sandwiches
  • Most Things Italian

Hobbies:

  • SCUBA Diving
  • Underwater Photography
  • Gardening
  • Weaving & Basket Making

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Food Safety Manager — National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
  • ServSafe, National Restaurant Association
  • Certified in Food Sanitation, Stat of Illinois Dept of Public Health

Other Positions Held:

  • Nutrtionist — Americraft Cookware
  • Food Service Director — OPIS Management, Ruleme Center
  • Assistant GM — Sodexho/Waterman Village

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Instructor Name: Joe Georges

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 11/10/03

Education/Degree(s):

  • AAS in Hotel Technology — New York City Technical College
  • B.S. in Marketing Management — Western Governors University

Years in the Industry: 30

Favorite Dish: Pan Fried Chicken Cutlets with Macaroni & Cheese

Hobbies:

  • Model Building and Model Railroading
  • Playing Bass
  • Carpentry & Gardening

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Executive Chef — ACF
  • Certified Hospitality Educator — Educational Institute
  • Member ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef — Winter Park Racquet Club
  • Executive Chef — Lackman Culinary c/o NASA
  • GM/Executive Chef — Key W. Kool’s Open Pit Grill
  • Executive Chef — Aramark Dining Services

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Instructor Name: Lynae Gurnsey

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor/Faculty Advisor for the Brew Crew and Student Council

Date Hired at School: 06/09/03

Education/Degree(s):

  • AAS General Technology/Culinary Arts — Volunteer State Community College
  • AA Liberal Arts — Miami Dade Community College

Years in the Industry: 25

Favorite Dish: Sushi

Hobbies:

  • Zymurgy, Brewing Beer, Making Wine and Espresso
  • Organic Gardening & Growing Orchids

Awards and/or Associations:

  • ACF Certified Chef de Cuisine
  • USPCA Certified Personal Chef
  • AHMA Hospitality Supervision Certification
  • AHMS Specialization in Food & Beverage Management

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef/Proprietor — Gourmet Solutions
  • Executive Chef — Lashers Restaurant
  • Associate Sous Chef — Zodiac Club
  • Associate Sous Chef — Trace
  • Instructor Hospitality Management — Opryland Hotel Culinary

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Instructor Name: Lionel Heydel

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 7/9/2007

Years in the Industry: 15

Favorite Dish: Chicken Cordon Bleu, Potatoes Au Gratin and Salad

Hobbies:

  • Things Mechanical
  • Soccer
  • Walking
  • Rollerblading

Other Positions Held:

  • Sous Chef — Sweetwater Golf & Country Club
  • Executive Chef — Maison Des Crepes
  • Chef on Site — Kieffer Catering Services
  • Assistant Restaurant Chef — Hilton at Walt Disney World Resort
  • Garde Manger Chef — Restaurant Le Chabichou, Courchevel, France
  • Chief Saucier — Hotel D’Alsace

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Instructor Name: Kate Higgins

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor/Student Services Manager

Date Hired at School: 10/23/06

Education/Degree(s):

  • B.A. Psychology — Tulane University
  • M.A. Counseling — Marymount University
  • A.A.S. Culinary Arts — Orlando, FL

Years in the Industry: 6

Favorite Dish: Anything with Wine

Hobbies: Knitting

Awards and/or Associations:

  • 1st Level Sommelier — Court of Master Sommeliers
  • 2nd Level Sommelier — Court of Master Sommeliers

Other Positions Held:

  • Culinary Instructor —Truffles & Trifles
  • Executive Sous Chef & Kitchen Manager — Bistro Direct
  • Cook — Shula’s Steakhouse
  • Therapist — Devereux Florida Treatment Network

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Instructor Name: Joseph Jeffries III

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Chef Instructor Pâtisserie & Baking

Date Hired at School: 08/24/04

Education/Degree(s):

  • Culinary Arts Diploma — Culinary School of Washington, DC
  • B.S. Culinary Arts/Restaurant Management — Breyer State University
  • B.S. Business Management — University of Phoenix

Years in the Industry: 25

Favorite Dish: Chincoteague Salt Oysters

Hobbies: Social Criticism

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Food Safety Manager
  • Certified Hospitality Educator, AHLA
  • Certified Chef de Cuisine, ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Pastry Chef — Chef Justins Park Plaza Gardens
  • Chef de Cuisine — Culinary Concepts/Harvey’s Bistro
  • Sous Chef— Backwater Restaurant

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Instructor Name: Carolyn Jones

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Restaurant Guest Services Instructor

Date Hired at School: 01/10/05

Education/Degree(s):

  • B.A. Liberal Arts & Sciences — University of Connecticut
  • M. Ed. Education/Curriculum Instruction — American Intercontinental University

Years in the Industry: 18

Favorite Dish: Grandpa’s Homemade Baked Beans

Hobbies:

  • Marathons
  • Triathlons
  • Cycling
  • Knitting

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Sommelier — Court of Master Sommeliers
  • Certified Dining Room Professional — FDRP

Other Positions Held:

  • Sales Consultant — Premier Beverage Company
  • Area Sales Manager — Ybor City Brewing Company
  • Assistant Beverage Manager — Loews Hotels
  • F&B Training, Restaurant Manager — Walt Disney World

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Instructor Name: John R. Kawczak

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Adjunct Culinary Chef Instructor/Ice Carving Instructor

Date Hired at School: 09/20/04

Education/Degree(s): A.A.S. Culinary Arts — The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago

Years in the Industry: 10

Favorite Dish: Pork Fried Rice

Hobbies: Kayaking and Camping

Awards and/or Associations: ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Cook — Artist’s Point, Walt Disney World
  • Culinary Lab Assistant — The Illinois Institute of Art
  • Cook 3 — 727 Pine Restaurant
  • Cook 1 — Memories Restaurant
  • Cook 2 —Jackson Street Restaurant

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Instructor Name: Hanna Kruczek

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Math & Computers Instructor

Date Hired at School: 01/18/05

Education/Degree(s):

  • Degree in Mathematics — Universität Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
  • M.A. Math & Computer Science — University of Illinois
  • Ph.D. Math & Computer Science — University of Illinois

Years in the Industry: 30

Favorite Dish: Smoked Salmon

Hobbies:

  • Photography
  • Golf
  • Reading

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Member, AMATYC, American Mathematical Association of Two-Year Colleges
  • Member, AAUW, American Association of University Women

Other Positions Held:

  • Math Instructor — Valencia Community College
  • Math Instructor — University of Phoenix
  • Consultant, Instructor, Lesson Designer — Technology Information Group
  • Director of Course Development — Compute2University

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Instructor Name: Bill Lembke

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Math & Computers Instructor

Date Hired at School: 09/23/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • BBA Marketing — Cleveland State University College of Business
  • M. Ed. Instructional Technology — American Intercontinental University

Years in the Industry: 35

Hobbies:

  • Horticulture
  • Astronomy
  • Computer Software Design
  • Positive Psychology

Other Positions Held:

  • President — Citrus Ridge Community Development Commission
  • Technical Marketing Representative — MarketSource Corporation
  • Software Engineer — Lockheed-Martin Corporation
  • Senior Software Engineer — Unisys Corporation

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Instructor Name: Michelle Lucas

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 06/12/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.S. Culinary Arts — Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI
  • B.S. Business Ed (Food Services) — Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI
  • MA Education/Instructional Technology — American Intercontinental University

Years in the Industry: 25

Favorite Dish: A Good Burger

Hobbies:

  • Cooking
  • Reading
  • Shopping
  • Decorating
  • Music

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Culinary Educator
  • Certified Chef de Cuisine
  • Certified Hospitality Educator
  • Les Amis d’ Escoffier Society
  • Recipient of “Lesson Planner of the Year” Award
  • Finalist 2004 Educator of the Year Award
  • Who’s Who Among American Teachers 2005

Other Positions Held:

  • Sous Chef — Flying Fish Café at Walt Disney World Boardwalk Resort
  • Adjunct ServSafe Instructor — Valencia Community College
  • Chef Instructor — Disney’s Culinary Academy
  • Chef Instructor/Sous Chef — Johnson & Wales University

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Instructor Name: Eric Markley

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: English Composition Instructor

Date Hired at School: 01/5/05

Education/Degree(s):

  • B.A. Communications/Print Media — Moody Bible Institute
  • M.A. English — University of Central Florida

Years in the Industry: 9

Favorite Dish: Cheesecake

Hobbies:

  • Hiking (recently completed a hike of the Appalachian Trail.)
  • Reading

Other Positions Held:

  • Composition Instructor — University of Central Florida
  • Editor— Gould Publishing Company
  • English as a Second Language Instructor — In Korea and Taiwan

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Instructor Name: George OjieAhamiojie

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Restaurant Guest Services Instructor/ Faculty Advisor for Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society

Date Hired at School: 01/27/03

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.A. General Studies — Houston Community College
  • B.S. Hotel & Restaurant Management — University of Houston
  • M.A. Organizational Management — University of Phoenix
  • Ed.S. Educational Leadership — Argosy University
  • Ed.D. Educational Leadership — Higher Education Administration, Argosy University

Years in the Industry: 20

Favorite Dish: Anything Light and Healthy

Hobbies: Reading & Writing

Awards and/or Associations: Certified Hospitality Educator

Other Positions Held:

  • Restaurant Guest Service Manager — Walt Disney World Resort
  • Outlet Supervisor — Houston Marriott Westside

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Instructor Name: Luis Ortiz

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Chef Instructor of Spanish Diploma Program

Date Hired at School: 08/25/08

Education/Degree(s):

  • B.S.A. Liberal Arts — University of the State of New York in Albany
  • M.B.A. Management — American Intercontinental University

Years in the Industry: 25

Favorite Dish: Meat Lovers Pizza

Hobbies:

  • Spending Time with my Family
  • Collecting Fine Writing Instruments (Pens)
  • Hess Trucks Collection

Awards and/or Associations: Certified Executive Chef, ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Chef Instructor — Keiser University-Center for Culinary Arts
  • Manager in Training — Aramark Correctional Services
  • Manager in Training — Morrison’s Management Specialists
  • Food Service Manager — Trinity Services Group, Inc.
  • Manager of Food Service Planning — U.S. Army

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Instructor Name: Victoria Pasiecki

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Chef Instructor — Pâtisserie & Baking

Date Hired at School: 6/20/05

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.O.S. Baking & Pastry Arts — Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI
  • B.S. Business Ed. (Food Service) — Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI

Years in the Industry: 18

Favorite Dish: Steamed Pork Dumplings

Hobbies: Walking

Awards and/or Associations: Certified Executive Pastry Chef — ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Pastry Chef — Eatzi’s Market & Bakery
  • Pastry Cook — Sands Hotel & Casino
  • Fellow/Teaching Assistant — Johnson & Wales Airport Hotel

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Instructor Name: Robert Phillips

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: English Composition Instructor

Date Hired at School: 03/18/04

Education/Degree(s): B.A. English — University of Central Florida

Years in the Industry: 10

Favorite Dish: Sushi

Hobbies:

  • Reading & Writing
  • Gardening
  • Cooking
  • Poker

Awards and/or Associations:

  • National Council of Teachers of English
  • College English Association
  • Modern Language Association
  • Conference on Composition & Communication

Other Positions Held:

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant — University of Central Florida
  • Substitute Teacher — Osceola County Public Schools

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Instructor Name: Dale Pyle

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor/Faculty Advisor for the Catering and Personal Chef Club

Date Hired at School: 03/14/03

Education/Degree(s): B.S. Culinary Arts with Management Minor — Breyer State University

Years in the Industry: 37

Favorite Dish: I Love All Food!

Hobbies:

  • Surfing
  • Gardening

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Hospitality Educator — American Hotel & Lodging Assoc.
  • Certified Executive Chef — ACF
  • Seminole County Occupational License/At Your Service — State of Florida

Other Positions Held:

  • Personal Chef Business, Owner & Operator — At Your Service
  • Executive Chef — Waterman Village
  • Executive Chef & F&B Director — Embassy Suites Orlando North
  • Account Chef — Ever Changing Times
  • Executive Sous Chef — Delta Orlando Resort

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Instructor Name: Joe Ralph

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Chef Instructor — Pâtisserie & Baking

Date Hired at School: 12/18/02

Education/Degree(s): A.A.S. Culinary Arts — Oakland Community College

Years in the Industry: 25

Favorite Dish: Macaroni & Cheese

Hobbies: Collecting Green Depression Glass

Awards and/or Associations: ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Pastry Prep Chef — Gaylord Palms
  • Pastry Prep Chef — Epcot at Walt Disney World
  • Pastry & Waiter — Rams Head Inn
  • Pasty Prep Chef — Confectionary Yours

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Instructor Name: Alex Rodriguez

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Spanish Diploma Program Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 08/07/06

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.A.S. Telecommunications Management — DeVry Institute
  • A.A.S. Culinary Arts — Orlando, FL

Years in the Industry: 14

Favorite Dish: Lomo Saltado, Peruvian

Hobbies: Salsa Dancing

Awards and/or Associations: Certified Culinarian — ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Switch Technician — AT&T
  • Manager/Cook/Inventory/Trainer — LaFuente Restaurant

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Instructor Name: Richard Rosado

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor/Faculty Advisor of the Culinary Competition Team

Date Hired at School: 03/25/04

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.O.S. Culinary Arts — Culinary Institute of America
  • B.P.S. Culinary Art Management — Culinary Institute of America

Years in the Industry: 14

Favorite Dish: Any Kind of Stew

Hobbies: Running

Awards and/or Associations: ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Culinary Director — Bloomingdale’s
  • Sous Chef — Royal Pacific Hotel
  • Lead Sales — Williams Sonoma
  • Line Cook — The Rainbow Room
  • Manager — Steve’s Grill & Restaurant

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Instructor Name: Natalie Schaible

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Safety, Sanitation & Nutrition Instructor

Date Hired at School: 07/05/06

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.S. Degree — Jamestown Community College
  • B.S., Nutrition & Foods — Cornell University
  • M.B.A., Marketing — Virginia Tech

Years in the Industry: 25

Favorite Dish: New Orleans Barbeque Shrimp

Hobbies:

  • Cooking
  • Pottery
  • Enjoying the Woods in North Carolina

Awards and/or Associations:

  • ServSafe
  • NRAEF

Other Positions Held:

  • Director of Marketing & Development —Pace Center for Girls
  • VP of Menu Development — Red Lobster Restaurants
  • Marketing Manager — Lee Ann Chins Chinese Cuisine
  • Manager of Menu Planning — General Mills Restaurants, Inc.

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Instructor Name: Jason Shenefield

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 03/26/04

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.S. Culinary Arts — Johnson & Wales University, Miami, FL
  • B.S. Culinary Arts — Johnson & Wales University, Miami, FL

Years in the Industry: 18

Favorite Dish: A Perfectly Cooked Steak with a Glass of Good Red Wine

Hobbies:

  • Hunting
  • Motorcycle Riding

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certificate Level Sommelier, Court of Master Sommeliers
  • ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Executive Chef & F&B Director — Plantation House
  • Executive Chef — Terrace Hotel
  • Restaurant Chef — Walt Disney World Epcot’s Canada Pavilion
  • Manager in Training — Peabody Hotel

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Instructor Name: Janet Smith

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor/Faculty Advisor for Nosh & Nibbles

Date Hired at School: 12/23/02

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.A.S. Health Information Technology — Alfred State College
  • Specialized Associates Degree, Culinary Arts — New England Institute of Technology (Florida Culinary Institute).
  • B.H.S. Health Administration — Florida Atlantic University

Years in the Industry: 13

Favorite Dish: A Lovely Vegetable Lasagna

Hobbies:

  • Gardening
  • Cooking
  • Hiking
  • Crafting

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Culinarian, ACF
  • Women Chefs & Restauranteurs
  • Board Member Les Amis d’Escoffier Society

Other Positions Held:

  • Chef Assistant — Walt Disney World, Grand Floridian Victoria & Albert’s
  • Chef Instructor Assistant — Disney Institute
  • Banquet Cook — Doubletree Oceanfront Hotel

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Instructor Name: Lawrence Tanzi

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Interpersonal Communications & Hospitality Management Instructor

Date Hired at School: 10/24/06

Education/Degree(s):

  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering — Perdue University
  • M.S. Theatre — Perdue University
  • Ph.D. Communication — Indiana University

Years in the Industry: 40

Favorite Dish: Rack of Lamb

Hobbies:

  • Model Airplanes
  • History

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Associate Director — Florida Citrus Sports
  • Hospitality Chairman — Tangerine Bowl, Florida Citrus Sports

Other Positions Held:

  • Associate Director, School of Communication — University of Central Florida
  • Assistant Dean Undergraduate Studies — University of Central Florida
  • Assistant to the Dean, College of Arts & Sciences — University of Central Florida

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Instructor Name: Jean-René Thiery

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Chef Instructor Pâtisserie & Baking Classes/Faculty Advisor for Chocolate & Sugar Club

Date Hired at School: 01/07/08

Education/Degree(s): Certificate of Mastery — Pastry Cook, Confectioner, Chamber of Trades Calvados, French Republic

Years in the Industry: 40

Favorite Dish: Beef Burgundy

Hobbies:

  • Bicycling
  • Home Improvement

Awards and/or Associations:

  • ACF
  • TCA, Texas Chef Association
  • Represented France at the Plovdin Fair in Bulgaria, Pastry & Sugar Demonstrations

Other Positions Held:

  • Pastry Chef Instructor — Culinary Institute, Houston, TX
  • Executive Pastry Chef — La Louisiana Bakery, New Orleans
  • Associate Chef & Pastry Chef — The French Touch, Birmingham, AL
  • Chef Instructor — Institut de Formation Aux Metiers

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Instructor Name: Shelley Tingler

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor for Pastry & Baking

Date Hired at School: 05/23/05

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.A. Nursing — Kansas City Community Jr. College
  • B.A. Studio Art — University of South Florida

Years in the Industry: 20

Favorite Dish: Almost Any Dessert That I Have Adapted From “Old Standards”

Hobbies: Reading About Food and Culinary Professionals

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Honorary Member of Eta Sigma Delta, International Hospitality & Tourism Management Honor Society
  • ACF
  • Women Chefs & Restauranteurs
  • International Cake Exploration Society
  • Certified Culinary Educator, ACF
  • Certified Executive Pastry Chef, ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Baking & Pastry Chef Instructor — Valencia Community College
  • Assistant to the Dean of Culinary Arts — American Culinary Academy
  • Executive Pastry Chef — Michael’s Let Them Eat Cake
  • Executive Pastry Chef — The Tampa Club

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Instructor Name: Eric Tran

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor/Faculty Advisor of the Asian Club

Date Hired at School: 03/10/03

Education/Degree(s): Bachelors Degree, Economics — Truong Dai Hoc Kinh Te, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Years in the Industry: 20

Favorite Dish: General Tso Chicken

Hobbies: Taking Students on Culinary Tours of Vietnam

Awards and/or Associations:

  • AAA 4-Diamond Award for Haifeng at the Renaissance Orlando Resort
  • Published Articles in Publications, ACF, Sizzle and Sunday Orlando Sentinel

Other Positions Held:

  • Convention Chef — Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
  • Restaurant Chef of Haifeng — Renaissance Orlando Resort
  • Manager — Panda Express Restaurant

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Instructor Name: Kathleen Vossenberg

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor

Date Hired at School: 09/27/04

Education/Degree(s):

  • B.S. Accounting — Illinois State University
  • A.A.S. Culinary Arts — Illinois Institute of Art, Chicago

Years in the Industry: 20

Favorite Dish: Thanksgiving Dinner — Turkey With All The Trimmings

Hobbies:

  • Travel
  • Wine Tasting

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Active ACF Member
  • Certified Food Service Manager — ServSafe

Other Positions Held:

  • Teaching Artist, Chef — Gallery 37/Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs
  • Culinary Arts Department Purchasing Manager — Art Institute, Illinois Institute of Art at Chicago
  • Self-Employed Catering Consultant/Chef — Kathleen’s Party Planners
  • Cook & Guest Services Representative — Broderick’s Bed & Breakfast, Knock, Co. Mayo, Ireland

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Instructor Name: Jimmy Wessman

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Culinary Chef Instructor/Faculty Advisor of the Demo Club

Date Hired at School: 10/20/03

Education/Degree(s):

  • A.S. Individual Studies (Business) — Ulster County Community College
  • A.O.S. Culinary Arts — Culinary Institute of America

Years in the Industry: 22

Favorite Dish: Bread & Butter From Bread Alone Bakery in Bearsville, NY

Hobbies:

  • Fishing
  • Motorcycle Riding

Awards and/or Associations:

  • Certified Hospitality Educator — American Hotel & Lodging Association
  • Esprit de Excellence Award from Le Cordon Bleu
  • Certified Executive Chef, ACF

Other Positions Held:

  • Sous Chef — Planet Hollywood
  • Executive Chef — Beverly Golf & Tennis Club
  • Banquet Chef — Lightfoot, Leesburg, VA
  • Executive Chef — The Club at Franklin Square, Washington, DC

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Instructor Name: Andrea Zelen

Le Cordon Bleu Campus Location: Orlando, FL

School Current Position: Chef Instructor Pâtisserie & Baking

Date Hired at School: 09/11/06

Education/Degree(s): A.O.S. Culinary Arts — Culinary Institute of America

Years in the Industry: 22

Favorite Dish:

  • Sushi
  • Grandma’s Apple Pie

Hobbies:

  • Dining out
  • Shopping
  • Traveling
  • Hanging Out With Family & Friends

Awards and/or Associations:

  • American Culinary Federation.
  • World Association of Chefs Societies
  • Numerous Accolades in National & Local Publications to Include: Redbook, McCall’s, Woman’s Day, NY Times, Misé En Place, National Culinary Review, Restaurant Forum, USA Today.
  • Pastry Creations Featured on the Food Network, Travel Channel, A&E, Disney Channel, Discovery Channel and the Daily Buzz.

Other Positions Held:

  • Currently Executive Pastry Chef & Owner — The American Brownie Company
  • Pastry Chef at the Polynesia and California Grill — Walt Disney World
  • Pastry Chef — Bistro L’Europe
  • Assistant Pastry Chef — The Greenbrier Hotel

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