The Ultimate in Epicurean Adventures—Chef Experience!

We invite local and international chefs to share their wealth of knowledge, travel experiences and skills with our guests.  Our chefs represent at least 8 countries and 9 regions of the United States.  Self taught and classically trained chefs grace our roster allowing a unique variety of teaching styles—appealing to every student level.    All are committed entirely to their craft and thrive on passing their gifts onto you!  Continue reading to learn about each of their culinary journeys.

Iole Aguero—Chef, Instructor, Culinary Tour Guide--Italy
Iole Aguero was born and raised in Southern Italy where she learned the art of fine Italian cooking from her mom and her relatives. With 25 years experience in the kitchen, Iole teaches at several Seattle area cooking schools, two local community colleges as well as  cooking schools in California, Texas and Utah. And she still finds time to teach private cooking classes and lead cooking tours to Italy. Iole also has been featured in Northwest Palate, Seattle Times, Pacific Magazine and Seattle Magazine.

Jemil Aziz—Chef, Culinary Instructor
Born and raised in New Orleans , Chef Jemil is proud of his Cajun and Creole heritage.  With more than 20 years of experience in the culinary arts – cooking in New Orleans, Seattle, Dallas and throughout Europe - he embraces the best of Old World and New World cuisines.  Well-versed in French, Italian and Southern cooking, he has won several awards – including best entrée and dessert at Bite of Seattle.   Chef Jemil attended the CIA in Hyde Park , NY and has been a member of the Executive Chefs of America since 1991.  He has been featured in Seattle Magazine, The PI, the Seattle Times and several other periodicals. He has owned and operated several restaurants in Seattle, the most recent being La Louisiana.

Conni Brownell – Chef/Owner, The Charmed Radish
Conni is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of Seattle.  While in school, she interned with Rover’s restaurant.  Conni then focused on opening her own personal chef service, The Charmed Radish, which specializes in providing clients personalized meals in the comfort of their own home. Conni has been a culinary instructor in the greater Seattle area for the last 8 years.

Seppo Farrey - Chef, Owner, Tasteful Chef and Best Selling Author
Seppo Farrey is a culinary instructor, personal chef and author with more than 25 years’ experience in the culinary field, and a background in exercise physiology and nutrition science. His first cookbook, “3 Bowls: Vegetarian Recipes from an American Zen Buddhist Monastery,” was a James Beard Award Finalist.  He has a passion for creating and modifying recipes to accommodate food allergies, athletic training diets and other special diets.

Bill Fredericks—Chef, Owner, ChocolateMan
Known as the Chocolate Man, Bill Fredericks has owned and operated ChocolateMan, a chocolate supply business, for the last 19 years. He is an internationally trained chocolate chef, and past corporate chef for Choc Elan, LLC. Training and certification ranges from chocolate manufacturing to advanced and expert level chocolate work. Bill has been instructing, consulting, and working as a private chef in the Puget Sound region and beyond for 15 years. He has been acclaimed as one of three chocolatiers in the Seattle area that is “pushing the envelope” by Seattle Homes and Lifestyle magazine.  He is a member of AACT (American Association of Candy Technologists), IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals), and Vice President of the NW Chocolatiers Guild.

Darin Gagner – Chef, Culinary Instructor
Chef Darin has been in the kitchen trenches for the last decade, initially splitting time between Washington and Oregon.  Upon leaving the Northwest, Darin spent time on the coast of Maine and fell in love with the fresh seafood and organic farming movement there. Wanting to learn more, he worked in some of the top restaurants in that region. In 2006, Darin returned to Seattle, where he has continued to feed his curiosity and appetite.  He is currently working under Chef Carlos Caula at local favorite, Carmelita.

Pranee Khruasanit Halvorsen- Chef, Instructor, Culinary Tour Guide—SE Asia
Pranee first learned Thai cooking as a child in Phuket, Thailand, where her mom was a village chef famous for her Hua Mok (fish cake). Today, Pranee is a member of the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP), a caterer, tour guide and cooking instructor.  Her popular classes in Thai cuisine are sellouts throughout the Northwest. She has been featured in the Seattle Times, Seattle Homes & Lifestyles Magazine and In the Kitchen with Tom and Thierry. Pranee leads culinary trips to Thailand and South East Asia where she teams up with other Thai chefs so Westerners can experience the food and culture of Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Robin Leventhal--BRAVO TV’s 2009 Top Chef Contestant/ Founder & Executive Chef, CRAVE
As Founder and Executive Chef of CRAVE, Robin Leventhal brings her impressive professional experience to the table. While she was the Head Chef at Cyclops, a landmark in Seattle, Robin also taught a high school culinary program during the day. She soon became a full time instructor at the Sea-Tac Occupational Skill center. After four years she found herself in Vermont as a rounds instructor at the New England Culinary Institute teaching at the college level. Her biggest satisfaction came from watching the students ‘come alive’ when they succeed. She believes that one’s individualism and passion are inextricably connected to the food he or she creates. With her extensive knowledge of arts and experience in the kitchen, Chef Robin strives to reach people’s souls through food.

Leslie Lightner--Director, Culinary Events Northwest and
Chef/Owner, Invisible Chef
Leslie is a 16-year food industry veteran with a love for both travel and the exploration of international and American regional flavors.  She is passionate about teaching others how to incorporate those flavors into everyday meals and sophisticated dishes. She is a long time member of the APPCA (American Personal and Private Chef Association) and has enjoyed working with some of the best chefs, restaurateurs and caterers in the greater Seattle area.  “Invisible Chef” Catering and Personal Chef Services opened twelve years ago to accommodate time-challenged families and individuals by providing gourmet meal delivery and private/corporate catering.  Invisible Chef  (425) 269-6748 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Olaiya Land—Culinary Instructor, Chef/Owner—Olaiya Land Catering
As part of Olaiya’s studies she spent a year in Paris where, as is the case for many a chef, her fondness for food and cooking tumbled into true love.  After graduation from Yale University, she cut her culinary chops in Boston, before running her own small cafe and catering business.  In 2001, she returned to Europe to study, travel, eat and cook while honing her cooking skills working for a local catering company.  Since moving to Seattle, she has cooked at La Medusa and the Boat Street Kitchen, both of which believe in letting fresh, seasonal, local ingredients stand out in their menu offerings.

Julie Little- Chef, Culinary Instructor
Julie studied world cuisines and lived abroad (Asia and Europe) while writing for food columns for magazines. She learned Indian cuisine from a great Indian chef and friend, and Greek cuisine while working as a marketing director for a portfolio of Greek alcohol brands. Moroccan cuisine has become a passion in more recent years. She has been a culinary instructor for 15 years and teaches a variety of classes throughout the greater Seattle area.

Elizabeth Peckham—Chef, Owner Heavenly Chocolates
After having her first child in 1991, Elizabeth reawakened her love for cooking with fond memories of her own mother and grandmother using ingredients from their family farm to create beautiful and delicious baked goods.  She has since taken numerous classes, read countless books, worked with multiple chefs and – most importantly - learned a great deal by trial and error!  Elizabeth began teaching in 1995.  She has been sharing her love of chocolate in the greater Seattle area ever since.  Heavenly Chocolates  206.547.0070 www.heavenly-chocolates.com

Mark Schoenthaler—Chef/Owner, RouxSeattle
Chef Mark Schoenthaler is an honors graduate of the New York’s prestigious Culinary Institute of America with additional training in France.  He brings more than 35 years of experience working in some of Seattle’s finest clubs, catering companies and private homes.  He has also been employed by several CEO’s as a private Chef.  Chef Mark currently is the owner of RouxSeattle a personal chef business serving the greater Seattle area.

Monty “Lane” Scott—Owner, WineStyles, Bothell WA
Lane Scott is the proud owner of WineStyles, a wine boutique simplifying the wine shopping experience by catering to the wine drinker looking for an easier way to find the perfect bottle. Designed like an Old World wine cellar, WineStyles is organized by eight different style categories instead of by varietals or region--therefore demystifying the selection of the right bottle of wine.  Each bottle is accompanied by a description listing the wine's characteristics, flavors and suggested food pairings. Lane’s boutique features up to 150 revolving world-class wines, most priced between $10 and $25 per bottle. From regional wines to unique small vineyard wines, you’ll find it here. 22833 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell.  (425) 408-1031 www.winestyles.net/CanyonPark

Chris Starkenberg -Chef, Tug Boat Captain
Chris had his first catering job at the age of 17.  After graduation he was off to French culinary school. Chris has been in management with several local restaurants and is now a tug boat captain in Alaska. He fulfills his love for teaching others about his passion by filming local TV cooking shows in Alaska.

Jacob Waller--DC, CSCS
Dr. Waller has a passion for health which inspired him to become a health and wellness coach. He teaches and motivates people to live a healthy lifestyle by balancing nutrition, exercise, sleeping habits, and stress management. Much of Dr. Waller’s teaching is focused on how to make natural choices to achieve health and break away from society’s misinformation. Dr. Waller, a Pacific Northwest native, enjoys reading and camping and hiking with his wife, JoAnn.

Gilbert Ruiz-Owner, Executive Chef, Pitmaster
The Depot Café and Smokehouse, 3201 McDougall Avenue. Everett, WA Pitmaster Gil Ruiz is the proud owner of The Depot Café, and has been turning out from scratch, award winning BBQ and fresh menu items since 2004.  In his free time, he participates in competition BBQ, leading the Smokin' Red Wolf BBQ Team, (nationally ranked last year). In the same year the team walked away with 19 cooking awards including a Grand Championship.  Visit the café and enjoy “Rustic American Fare,” in the historic 1900’s depot building.  The menu offers something for everyone. www.depotcafebbq.com 425-257-3140