The Chef
Talk about discovering your passion for cooking.
Professional kitchens.
Executive chef experience.
What cooking taught you.
The Educator
As an educator and coach, I believe meaningful growth requires more than instruction. It requires clear expectations, honest feedback, consistent encouragement, and opportunities to learn through experience. I challenge students and athletes to become disciplined, accountable, and confident while understanding that individual talent means little without communication and teamwork. My goal is not merely to improve performance, but to help people develop the habits, character, and resilience they will carry into every part of their lives.
The Leader
My leadership within the American Culinary Federation, including service with the ACF Tampa Bay Chapter and as Chairman of the Member & Industry Engagement Committee, is rooted in a belief that leadership should strengthen both people and organizations. Titles matter far less than the responsibility to listen, communicate clearly, develop others, and turn shared goals into meaningful action. Leadership matters because healthy organizations do not sustain themselves. They require people willing to serve, preserve what works, challenge what does not, and prepare the next generation to take their place.
Beyond the Kitchen
Outside of work, I am a husband and father who enjoys travel, photography, baseball, technology, music, and discovering memorable food wherever I happen to be. I spent many years playing the cello and remain endlessly curious about how things work, whether that means learning a new device, planning a trip, exploring another culture, or tackling a new project. Scouting also continues to give me an opportunity to serve, mentor young people, and spend time in a community built around learning, adventure, and shared experience.
My Philosophy
Great chefs aren’t defined solely by the meals they prepare. They are remembered for the people they mentor, the standards they uphold, and the legacy they leave behind. My goal has always been to develop professionals who are technically skilled, confident, and committed to lifelong learning.
Certifications
ACF Certified Executive Chef
ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certified Instructor & Proctor
Chef Rotisseur – La Chaine des Rotisseurs
Sustainability for Culinary Professionals Trainer – World Association of Chefs’ Societies
Certified BBQ Judge – Florida BBQ Association
Certified World Food Championships Judge
Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator
Awards
ACF Presidential Medallion Recipient, 2026
ACF Cutting Edge Award Recipient, 2025
ACF Tampa Bay Chef Educator of the Year, 2020
Chef Patrick Artz 