Our faculty not only know how to teach in a classroom setting but also are experienced hospitality professionals.

Whether they once led a large-scale kitchen operation or executed their own successful restaurant, our chef instructors know the fundamentals and real-world requirements for success in a professional kitchen. Similarly, our Restaurant and Hotel Management instructors have trained at some of the most renowned and refined establishments across the country in all areas of hospitality and fine dining.

Bethany Amilkavich

Librarian

Bethany earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Art in ceramics from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art.  After several years teaching ceramics, she eventually went on to earn her Master of...

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Derek Andress, CEPC

Chef Instructor

Chef Derek Andress has over 20 years of experience as a food service professional in fine dining restaurants and hotels. He has a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts with...

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Todd Braley

Vice President of Culinary and Pastry Arts

Formerly the Co-Chef/Owner of French-inspired bistro The Pickled Heron in Fishtown, Chef Todd D. Braley joined the faculty at Walnut Hill College in the fall of 2016. As a lover...

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Akita Brooks

Instructor

Professor Brooks has been in the hospitality industry for over 15 years and has done everything from working in a bustling airport's food operation to navigating hotels in the boutique,...

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Michael Frost

Instructor

Michael Frost graduated from The University of Maryland, College Park with an M.A. in Journalism and was a recipient of both a university fellowship and The Gene Roberts Award. Also...

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John Gallagher, CEPC

Chef Instructor

Chef Gallagher has been teaching at Walnut Hill College since 1995 and received the title of Certified Executive Pastry Chef...

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Katherine Honeyman, CEPC

Chef Instructor

Chef Honeyman graduated from The Pennsylvania Culinary Institute and gained additional experience in pastry arts by attending both Notter's Confectionary...

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Jacqueline Lovecchio

Chef Instructor

Chef Jackie Lovecchio was born and raised in rural Pennsylvania into a large Italian/Irish family. Her childhood was littered with...

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David Morrow

Executive Vice President of Walnut Hill College

David Morrow's passion for food led him to attend Johnson & Wales University, where he obtained an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts. He soon decided to further his education, earning...

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Eric Paraskevas

Chef Instructor

Chef Eric Paraskevas hails from State College, PA. In 2001, Eric relocated to Philadelphia to dive into his love of the culinary arts by attending The Restaurant School at Walnut...

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Christina Pirello, MFN, CCN

Chef Instructor

Chef ChristinaPirello is the Emmy-Award-winning host of the show Christina Cooks, which airs weekly on over 200 public television stations...

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Esther Press-McManus

Chef Instructor

Born in Marrakesh, Chef Esther McManus was the first generation of "educated" girls in her family, studying and teaching French...

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Jon Sauerwald

Dining Room Services Instructor

Jon graduated from West Chester University with a focus on history and biology and a minor in education. Before switching over to restaurants, he worked as a high school teacher...

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Joshua L. Seery, EdD

Dean of College Teaching and Learning

Joshua began his career at Walnut Hill College as a Student Success Advisor in 2011 and eventually became a full-time...

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Greg Slonaker, CEC

Chef Instructor

Chef Greg Slonaker graduated from the Culinary Institute of America with an A.O.S. degree in Culinary Arts. During his career, he served as a line cook, restaurant chef, and executive...

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Marie Stecher, CEPC

Chef Instructor

Chef Stecher holds a B.A. in Communications from Rowan University and an A.S. in Pastry Arts from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College. She continued her pastry studies at...

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Colleen Sweeney

Instructor

Colleen Sweeney graduated from Arcadia University with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. She went on to graduate from Chestnut Hill College with a master’s degree in Education, along with a...

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Robert Tumas

Student Success Coordinator

Robert Tumas graduated from Syracuse University with a B.A. in English and Textual Studies before moving to Brooklyn to pursue his writing career. After many successes and failures, he decided...

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