MEET THE CHEFS
CHEFMIGUELRANGEL
Lead Chef Instructor & Director of Operations
Chef Miguel was born in Morelia, Michoacan, Mexico. He grew remembering his Uncle making daily, fresh authentic Mexican breads everyday. He started in the industry working young as a bus boy and his since reached the level of Sous Chef. He notably has worked for New Yolk, New Yolk Restaurant, Salsa 17, and Mago Grill and Cantina. His future goals are to open multiple Latin restaurants and operate his own business.
"Mi familia es tu familia!"
CHEFADAMWEISELL
Chef Instructor
Adam Weisell is an American chef who grew up in Rome, Italy. He was drawn to the family kitchen at a very young age and the first dish he learned to make was Spaghetti alla Carbonara; to this day it remains one of his favorites.
Adam moved to the U.S. in 1995 to attend Bard college, but he found his true calling as a professional cook during a summer break he spent working in local restaurants. In New York City he worked at a number of the top chefs in the business; Mark Ladner at Mario Batali’s Lupa, Sara Jenkins at both 50 Carmine and Annona, Jonathan Waxman at Barbuto and Ignacio Mattos at Il Buco, to name a few. He ran the kitchens as executive chef both at Aurora in Brooklyn and 54 Mint in San Francisco, though his most recent gig was as chef instructor of Eataly’s cooking school La Scuola in Chicago. Adam has recipes published in the New York Times, he has participated in many prestigious culinary festivals and food-centered media and he promotes awareness of Italian cooking and ingredients throughout the country.
"I am here to share my passion!"
CELEBRITY
MARIORIZZOTTI
Iron Chef America Judge
Mario Rizzotti is a judge on Iron Chef America on the Food Network . Mario is often called to judge Iron Chefs like Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Marc Forgione, Bobby Flay, Masaharu Morimoto and more. You've seen Mario alongside Art Smith (former Oprah Winfrey chef & launched a restaurant with Lady GaGa); as well as Food Network TV star Ted Allen; TV host/producer David Rocco; Vogue food critic Jeffrey Steingarten; Biggest Loser host and NBC's Days of our Lives star, Alison Sweeney; Martin Yan and more.
For more information, visit Mario’s official website at www.mariorizzotti.com
"An authentic Italian meal is not a consumption of food but a celebration of Dolce Vita"
"Always FRESH. Always HUNGRY.
That's my mindset for life."
CHEFPAULGUERRERO
Chef Instructor
Since working at the young age of 15, Paul Guerrero has used his position in the kitchen to promote and develop a new form of American cuisine rooted in tradition with a vision towards the future.
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Paul draws his inspiration for food from his family. His culinary education began at home when he was tasked with the responsibilities of feeding and caring for his siblings. It was in the home environment that he learned both the significance of good food and food’s ability to bring people together.
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Paul has continued to develop his career through working with influential chefs such as Wolfgang Puck, Joe Decker (Chef/Partner Wildfire Restaurant), & Larry Donahue (Corporate Executive Chef Weber Restaurant). He most recently spent 8 years as Chef for Wildfire Restaurants, a Lettuce Entertain You Company.
In developing food’s role in the community, Paul has participated in various charities at St. Jude’s, The University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, Habitat for Humanity and with the American Diabetes Association. In his free time, he has also given lectures at Kendall College, Waubonsee College, College of DuPage and the University of Illinois. He is also on the board of directors for Operation North Pole, a charity that benefits terminally ill children.
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He is currently the Culinary Director and Managing Partner of Cooking Skills Academy, Chicago's largest recreational cooking school. He is the Corporate Chef and Managing Partner of Mia Passione Restaurants. As well as business manager to Mario Rizzotti, an Iron Chef America Judge.