Meet Our Team
If you don't already know us, our team of Professional chefs are Vetted and Certified and maintain the highest standards of food safety, preparation and presentation. We show up on time and come prepared to give you the best possible culinary experience and then we clean up and leave hoping that we created a memorable experience for you and your guests.
Chef Dan was named Pastry Chef of the Year in 2017 by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). He also won Gold for Best Chocolate Showpiece at the National Team Pastry Championship in Desert Ridge in 2009.
Having been in the food service industry for more than 35 years with over 15 years of Teaching Experience, Chef Dan is passionate about baking and cooking, and it shows in his style of teaching and student engagement.
Chef Dan graduated from The Restaurant School, Philadelphia where he completed the Pastry Chef Training program. He began his career in Atlantic City, New Jersey where he worked for various organizations, and rose from the ranks of Pastry Cook to Executive Pastry Chef.
Some of the hotels and organizations that Chef Dan has worked exclusively for include Tropicana, Trump Hotels, Four Seasons and Hilton.
Until recently, Chef Dan also taught at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Art Institute in Phoenix, and the Scottsdale Community College as a Chef Instructor.
He is also the creator of his own successful Recreational Cooking School (L'Academie Baking & Cooking School) in Gilbert, AZ which he sold in 2022.
Having always baked breads and sweets, Katy was known for experimenting and developing unique treats. In the fall of 2019, she first walked through the doors of Chef Dan’s L' Academie for a baguette class. The experience was life changing.
Fast forward to 2022 when Chef Dan presented a cookie decorating class utilizing royal icing. Katy had done some trial and error with this technique in the past, but this class “flipped the switch” and a new passion was ignited.
In 2025, Katy was recognized at the National Cookie Convention in Reno, Nevada for her decorating skills. Her baby octopus was featured on the convention map that was given to all participants.
After over 2000 decorated cookies, Katy is excited to join Chef Dan in inspiring new "Cookiers" to fuel their love of royal icing.
