COLUMBUS CULINARY FACULTY

Select members of our staff include:

Chef Matthew Schenk, MBA,CEC, is the Culinary Arts Program Director at the Columbus Culinary Institute at Bradford School.  Chef Schenk has over 25 years of experience in the culinary industry and has degrees from Johnson & Wales, Michigan State University, and Ohio Dominican University.  Chef Schenk has worked for such notable food service establishments as Children’s Hospital, Lindey’s American Bistro, Bravo Italian Cucina, as well as the corporate entities of J. Alexander’s and Houston’s Restaurants.  Chef Schenk ensures the smooth operation of the Culinary Arts Program. He also keeps the program curriculum relevant.

Chef Dale Gussett, CEC, is a Chef Instructor in the Culinary Arts program.  Chef Gussett graduated from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) with high honors and has over 35 years experience in the culinary industry.  At the age of 23, Chef Gussett opened his first restaurant; L’Arnagnac.  It was the first French restaurant in Columbus and received rave reviews from newspapers and magazines statewide.  He later opened L’Antibes Restaurant which was rated in the “Top Ten Restaurants in Columbus” every year by the Columbus Dispatch.  He was also named “One of the top 20 people who made a difference in the quality of life” in Columbus for the period 1975 – 1995 by Columbus Monthly Magazine.  Chef Gussett is the obvious choice of instructors for our Classical Cuisine (French) classes.

Chef Nicole Bennett, CEC, CCE, is a Chef Instructor in the Culinary Arts program.  Chef Bennett is a graduate of the Florida Culinary Institute as well as a member of their Baron Galand Knowledge Bowl Team, which placed Gold in their regional competition and Bronze in their national competition.  Chef Bennett has over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry in restaurants, country clubs, fine dining and five-star hotels.  Chef Bennett is also experienced in fruit and vegetable carving.  She has placed in many professional competitions and has studied under Chef Jimmy Zhang.  Chef Bennett is the coach/instructor for Columbus Culinary Institute’s Columbus Carving Artists, our student fruit and vegetable carving club.  Under her guidance, members of the club have had great success at the carving competitions they have entered.

To learn more about the culinary classes that you'll take, visit the programs area of the site or request information today!