Chef Cecilia DeCastro has started and run professional culinary programs for the past thirty years. Cecilia has a degree in Food Science and Nutrition, and is a Certified Culinary Professional with the International Association of Culinary Professionals. In addition to direct restaurant kitchen experience, she currently consults to restaurants and food suppliers, caters large functions and food festivals, and tests recipes for cookbooks. She has experience arranging many special projects related to food and has earned several awards and recognition for her efforts. She was nominated for Best Teacher of the Year by the International Association of Culinary Professionals in 2004.

    For over 25 years, Cecilia has collaborated with world renowned Chef Wolfgang Puck.  She was a culinary

    producer for the Emmy Award-winning Wolfgang Puck Show for 5 seasons at the Food Network.  She

    continues to work with Chef Puck with his cookbook developments, product/recipe development for the

    Home Shopping Network and Spago, as well as food events such as the Oscar Awards Governor's Ball

    and American Food & Wine Festivals.

Her love for travel, dining and experimenting are integral to her work as a consultant to many local and international food companies, chefs and food establishments.  As a cater/event coordinator, her clientele range from the show business industry, corporations, individuals, heads-of-states and non-profit organizations such as A3M, City of LA, LAAPAHM, Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels. 

Sought after as a judge in many cooking contests from the LA County Fair to the Lobsterfest Cooking  Contest, she has appeared in many radio and television shows including Good Morning America, Our    Magazine, Alive & Well, Paul Wallach Radio Show, Two Hot Tamales Radio Show on KFI and a monthly cooking segment at KCSI 18-"Kababayan LA".  Cecilia has been featured in many publications including the Los Angeles Times, Daily News, Asian Journal, and numerous other trade journals.

Educator, Student Mentor, Career Planning, Restaurant Consultant, Product Development, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Producer, Caterer, Event Coordinator, Culinary Travel Guide, Spokesperson, Guest Chef Appearances for TV & Radio, Filipino Culinary Expert, Culinary Judge 

Les Dames d' Escoffier

Inspired by her parents’

belief in education and concern for others, Cecilia continues to pursue her missions: to teach and share her experiences in the culinary field and assist her students to gain entry into the work force; to bring awareness of proper nutrition specially with the younger generation; support organic sustainable farming and artisanal growers and producers; to bring forward her Filipino heritage through its culture and cuisine; and to continue her fundraising efforts to help raise money for organizations that help, feed and educate children and all those in need.

To register for classes go to http://academyofculinaryeducation.eventbrite.com

For more information about classes, catering, or personal appearances,

please contact Chef Cecilia deCastro at ChefCece@yahoo.com