CLASSES
Favorite class to teach: Pasta Workshop
Training/education: Associates in Applied Sciences in Culinary Arts from Kendall College
Cooking since: 2016
Favorite childhood food experience: The first time I got to oversee the grill at home when I was 11 or 12
What made you want to become a chef? I have always been drawn to food and cooking from a young age. I spent one year at a university and knew I was meant to cook so I transferred to culinary school.
What is your signature dish? Handmade pastas
What are the 5 ingredients you can't live without? Salt, butter, 00 flour, thyme and eggs
What do you love about cooking? I love cooking for my friends and family and being able to make people’s day with my cooking.
When you're creating a new recipe, what influences and inspires you? I like taking techniques or flavor profiles from other cuisines and applying them to the given cuisine I am cooking.
What advice would you give a new cook? When cooking a recipe, focus on the techniques and see how you can apply them to other recipes.
What are you doing when you're not cooking? Relaxing at home, exploring the city, and trying new restaurants
Describe your perfect evening. A cozy night at home with a nice homemade meal and some red wine
If you had friends in from out of town, where would you take them to eat? Dolo in Chinatown for Dim Sum
Where are you from? Southwest Michigan
What was your favorite vacation? Paris
What are your hobbies? Hiking and camping
What is your favorite band? Steely Dan
What is your favorite sports team? I'm not a big sports fan.
If you could have dinner with one person, who would it be? Anthony Bourdain
What are your guilty pleasures? Doritos and other junk foods
Who is your favorite celebrity chef? Jacques Pepin
What 5 tools should every new cook have in the kitchen?
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Good chef's knife
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Knife sharpener
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Stainless steel pan
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Bench scraper
- Wire cooling rack
What resources would you suggest for students at The Chopping Block? Check out our blog to keep up with awesome new recipes.
List three of your favorite tips or techniques you use in the kitchen.
