Alex Marsh (Professional Chef, San Francisco, CA (United States))

Born and raised in California, Alex Marsh confirmed his passion for cooking when an intended short stay in Greece turned into a 2-year culinary sojurn. In Corfu, Greece, Marsh worked in a local hotel’s kitchen as he explored the rich cuisine and cultural landscape of the region.

When he returned to the Bay Area, Alex enrolled as an anthropology major at University of California, ...

Nate Appleman (Professional Chef, San Francisco, CA (United States), SPQR, A16, A16 Food and Wine)

As a native of Greenville, Ohio, I grew up cooking. At seventeen, I enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park - I never doubted for a moment that I wanted to be a chef. With a growing affinity for butchery that began at the CIA, I became interested in the process of curing meats. I then moved to Florence, Italy for six months to further this interest - there I learned to ...

Jeremy Cheng (Professional Chef, San Carlos, CA (United States), Town)

I was born and lived part of my childhood in the Philippines, my parents come from a Chinese background and food was always a huge part of my family. Every time I visit a family member the first thing they say to me is, “Have you eaten yet?

I began cooking at the age of 12 learning from my parents who are both great cooks, and have been in love with it since. I have worked at various ...

Linda Tay Esposito (Professional Chef, San Francisco, CA (United States), FLAVOR EXPLOSIONS, Parties That Cook, Whole Foods Market Culinary Center, Sur La Table)

Linda Tay Esposito is a self taught chef whose food represents a tribute and a commitment to the authenticity of the cuisines of the Pacific Rim. She grew up in Malaysia, lived in China and Hong Kong and traveled extensively in the region exploring the vast culinary offerings and traditions, and capturing the essence of the local cuisines. She brings these exciting flavors, passion and ...

Draeger's Cooking School (Professional Chef, San Mateo, CA (United States), Draeger's Cooking School)

Draeger’s Cooking School hosts restaurant chefs and cookbook authors from around the country, from Food Network’s Tyler Florence to Chez Panisse’s Alice Waters to Thomas Keller of The French Laundry. The school has been honored with an International Association of Culinary Professionals award-nomination for best avocational cooking school in the nation. Along with cooking demonstrations by ...

Barb Stuckey (Advanced Cook, San Francisco, CA (United States))

I am uncomfortable unless I am surrounded by food. For 12 years I've been leading food product development teams at Mattson, an independent developer of new foods and beverages for the grocery and chain restaurant industries. Every day I taste between 5 to 50 prototypes in development. My office is full of food. My vacations are planned around food. My hobby is eating out in restaurants. ...

Aspen Lee-Moulden (Intermediate Cook, San Carlos, CA (United States))

As far back as I can remember cooking and baking have been my passion. My fondest childhood memories are of baking cakes in my Easy Bake Oven and hosting a multitude of bake sales in our neighborhood. While baking has been at the forefront of my culinary adventures, I do enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. I love a good dinner party with friends and relish in a night out trying new ...

Chris Patil (Advanced Cook, Oakland, CA (United States))

I first started cooking right after college, when nine friends living at a communal house needed a tenth person to round out their biweekly dinner rotation. I loved it, everything from prep to serving a meal to my friends and seeing the look on their

I continued to get interested in cooking over the next few years, largely inspired by a group of friends in ...

Mihir Shah (Advanced Cook, Redwood City, CA (United States))

It's hard for me to overstate how important food and wine are to my life. While I often find myself planning my next meal while I'm eating the current one, it goes beyond that. I have come to equate good times with enjoying a meal with friends and family. Cooking for my kids, cooking with my friends, selecting a bottle from the cellar to enjoy while cooking, and eating out at San Francisco'...

John Spottiswood (Advanced Cook, San Carlos, CA (United States))

I am happily married and a father of four. My wife Nancy does most of the daily cooking in our house, but I usually plan and cook one meal each week. I've spent 2 years living in Japan, and have a great appreciation for Asian food. My favorites are Thai, Japanese and Vietnamese, but I also enjoy Chinese and Korean. I spent time in the Indian town of Pune, and also love Indian food. I had ...