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
bamilkavich@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2351
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
dandress@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2352
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
tbraley@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2379
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
abrooks@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2373
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
mfrost@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2359
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
jgallagher@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2342
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
khoneyman@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2370
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
jlovecchio@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2385
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
dmorrow@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2357
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
eparaskevas@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2358
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
cpirello@walnuthillcollege.edu
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
epressmcmanus@walnuthillcollege.edu
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
jsauerwald@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2324
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
jseery@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2330
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
gslonaker@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2328
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
mstecher@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2335
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
csweeney@walnuthillcollege.edu
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
rtumas@walnuthillcollege.edu
(267) 295-2309
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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