I graduated with a B.S. degree in Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh in 1979.
I had a 29-year career in sales and management with large multinational corporations. My corporate career required extensive travel, dining out, and client entertainment. It was during a 5-year assignment in Brussels, Belgium that I developed a passion for good food and cooking.
With Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooing” in hand, I began cooking for family and friends. The Food Network provided constant inspiration. Later, two “Boot Camp” classes at the Culinary Institute of America in 2007 and 2008 began my training.
I decide to follow my passion for food. Upon early retirement in July 2008, I enrolled in the Culinary Institute Alain & Marie LeNôtre in Houston to formalize my training with traditional French culinary and pastry techniques. I graduated with Gold Medal Honors and a Diploma as Sous Chef in Culinary Arts, Specialty in Cuisine in February 2009.
I am a member of the United States Personal Chef Association and have been awarded Professional Personal Chef and Certified Culinary Inspirations Instructor certificates from the Culinary Business Academy in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. I have completed the ServSafe® training for Food Service Managers.