Advisory Board
The group includes some of the most respected and creative working chefs and industry experts in the nation.
Our Chefs’ Advisory Council is made up of a wide range of noted professionals, all of whom are committed to excellence in culinary education.
They’re an invaluable resource, because they ensure that our education meets their high standards and that our students receive training that properly prepares them for the challenges of the industry.
Culinary
OCTAVIO BECERRA Chef/Director, Edin Park Los Angeles
BRUCE KALMAN Chef/Owner, KP Hospitality Group (Union & Knead Restaurants)
DR. DAVID EDENS Professor & Chef, Cal Poly Pomona
Al THINMANN Executive Chef, Los Angeles Tennis Club
DANIEL TORRES Event Chef, ACE Hotel Los Angeles
LISA GIFFEN Executive Chef, Soho House Malibu (Little Beach House)
JOE SASTO Executive Chef, Cal Mare – Michael Mina Group
JESSICA LARGEY Chef/Partner, Simone Restaurant
WILLIAM HICKEY Regional Recruiting Manager, The Party Staff
Pastry & Baking Arts
NOUBAR YESSAYAN Pastry Chef, Lucques Restaurant Group
ERIC NG General Manager, Sugar Bloom
SHARON WANG Pastry Chef, Sugar Bloom
NIKLAS IVARSSON VP of Sales, Matfer Bourgeat Inc.
RYAN SHAPIRO Sr. Sales Manager, Bottega Louie
ERICA GIBSON Director, Bottega Louie
KRISTINE DE LA CRUZ Co-Owner, Crème Caramella
Restaurant & Culinary Management
NICHOLAS JACOBS General Manager, Ritz Carlton
BRAD METZGER CEO, Restaurant Solutions
MARY SPRINGER Recruiter, Restaurant Solutions
SHERRY RUNGE Human Resources, Michael Mina Group & CEO, Culinarie Staffing
HANAE SUK Recruiter, Culinarie Staffing
SANDRA ARBIZU Director of Human Resources, ACE Hotel Los Angeles
MERYL GUEVARA Human Resources Manager, Pacific Palms Conference Resort
CINTHIA COSICO Human Resources Coordinator, Pacific Palms Conference Resort
BEN YUCEER Human Resources – Talent Advisor, The Resort at Pelican Hill Newport Beach
JOANNA TARGONSKI People and Development Manager, Soho House & Co
