Student Information
Undergraduate StudentCommunication
The College of Lib Arts & Sci
Executive innovator. Delivered $130M to Nestlé. Chopped Champion. Food Network veteran competitor for 11+ years. Battle-hardened in Arizona's most demanding kitchens. Sharpened by 23+ years on-air in television.
Experience
Nestlé Professional Solutions, North America
Executive Leadership, Strategy & Innovation | Corporate Executive Chef
June 2017 – August 2025
Delivered $130M in revenue over eight years through management and innovative solutions across diverse business units: National Accounts, Plant-Based Innovation (Sweet Earth Foods), and South-Central Business Development.
- Directed culinary innovation and menu strategy for top 200 North American restaurant chains — including McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Starbucks, and Taco Bell — influencing the menus of billion-dollar brands.
- Special Assignment from President of Nestlé to lead North American plant-based strategy (Sweet Earth Foods division); successfully doubled core product sales and engineered a national go-to-market roadmap.
- Created a $26M food and beverage pipeline across national accounts, emerging chains, higher education, healthcare, commissaries, broker partners, and distribution networks in the South-Central division.
- Winner, Nestlé USA Open Channel Innovation Award (2025) – Selected by CEO, Nestlé Zone North America, for disruptive market innovation in the Club/Deli and Convenience Store channels.
- Keynote Speaker, National ProStart Invitational (2023) – Washington, D.C.
- Awardee, Growing Nestlé Professional Global Summit (2019) – Recognized by 50+ Nestlé S.A. International HQ Leaders in Vevey, Switzerland, for outstanding entrepreneurship.
- Guest Speaker, Start Healthy, Stay Healthy National Launch (2018) – YMCA & Rutgers University–Newark partnership; promoted nutrition, wellness, and community engagement.
Food Network
On-Air Talent
April 2014 – Present
At 19, I networked my way into the Food Network by picking up the phone. Called the front desk. Asked for the Network GM and SVP of Culinary Production. Pitched. Earned auditions at Chelsea Market HQ (NYC). Debuted at 21.
- Cutthroat Kitchen: Tso Good
- Cutthroat Kitchen Evilicious Tournament: Canoe Jack City (Winner)
- Cutthroat Kitchen Evilicious Tournament: Finale
- Food Network Star, Season 11
- Comeback Kitchen, Season 1 (Top 4)
- Comeback Kitchen, Season 2 (Winner)
- Food Network Star, Season 13 (Top 4)
- Guy’s Grocery Games: Food Network Star Favorites
- Chopped: Flamin’ Hot (Winner)
- Superchef Grudge Match (Winner)
- 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing
- Beat Bobby Flay
Television
Host | Expert Contributor
May 2002 – July 2025
- 3TV, ABC15, CW7, FOX10, NBC12, The List, Young Hollywood
Fine-Dining
Sous Chef | Cook
July 2010 – May 2017
Forged in Arizona’s most demanding kitchens.
- Sous Chef, Virtù Honest Craft & Nico Heirloom Kitchen (Jan 2016–May 2017)
- Grill Cook, Elements at Sanctuary Camelback (Jan 2014–Jan 2016)
- Cook, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa (Jul 2010–Jan 2014)
Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove
Chef
July 2013 – October 2014
- Live demos, on-camera content, and cooking classes.
Times Media Group
Food Writer
October 2011 – August 2013
- Freelance contributor for North Valley Magazine.
Awards
- Voted Most Influential in Valley Food (2021) – Arizona Foothills Magazine
- Voted Most Influential in Valley Food (2017) – Arizona Foothills Magazine
- Voted People’s Choice (2013) – 11th Annual San Pellegrino Almost Famous Chef Competition (Northeast)
Competitive Achievements
- Nautica Malibu Triathlon Classic Finisher, 2019
- Probility Ann Arbor Full Marathon Finisher, 2019
- USA Wado Federation Sho Dan Black Belt, 2010
- Arizona State University — B.S. Communication
August 2025 – August 2027 - The Culinary Institute of America — A.O.S. Culinary Arts
May 2011 – March 2013
Hyde Park, NY campus. Food writer for La Papillote. Commis for the Certified Master Chef Exam.