Biltmore Culinary Academy

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Group and private cooking classes at the Biltmore Hotel of Coral Gables

	Lourdes Castro Director, Culinary Academy Read Interview In addition to her work with the Biltmore, Lourdes serves as a part-time instructor at New York University’s Food Studies department where she teaches courses in food science. It is this ability to effectively explain culinary concepts and techniques as easily in an academic classroom as in an informal and relaxed kitchen environment that caught the attention of publisher Ten Speed Press. Lourdes has written two books for the publishing house, a Mexican cookbook (Simply Mexican) and a Spanish-English dictionary of culinary terms (Eat, Drink, Think in Spanish).
	Roly Cruz-Taura Executive Hotel Chef Read Interview As Executive Hotel Chef at the Biltmore since August 2007, Roly Cruz-Taura oversees the smooth functioning of all banquet and catering operations throughout the hotel.
	Betania Salles Chef de Cuisine, Fontana Ristorante Read Interview
	Philippe Ruiz Executive Chef de Cuisine, Palme d’Or Read Interview Philippe Ruiz, a native Frenchman, joined the Biltmore in July 1999 as Chef de Cuisine of its signature restaurant Palme d'Or, where he has received the highest accolades for his ingenious interpretation of French nouvelle cuisine. Ruiz’s position at the helm of Palme d'Or elevated the restaurant’s ratings to the highest echelon of South Florida’s dining scene. The Miami Herald, which has twice rated Palme d’Or as “exceptional,” describes Ruiz’s fare as “sublime-distinctive, creative in its unique way of being classic and modern all at once.”
	Olivier Rodriquez Executive Hotel Pastry Chef Read Interview Since joining the Biltmore in 2007 as Executive Hotel Pastry Chef, Olivier Rodriguez infused the property with his signature sweets at the hotel’s restaurants, banquets and special events. His flair for creativity and passion for pastry have found their ideal showplace at the Biltmore.
	Jeanette Ozga Biltmore Culinary Academy Instructor A native from the Dominican Republic she came to the United States in 1996 to pursue her passion for cooking. Graduated at the top of her class from Johnson & Wales University in the Culinary Arts Baccalaureate program; Over 20 years of culinary experience in catering, restaurant and resort kitchens, cake making, baking and culinary education have given Chef Jeannette a well-rounded knowledge in Mediterranean, Asian and Latin American flavors, even though baking still remains her true passion. As a mother of two, Jeannette focuses on maintaining a balance between her personal and professional responsibilities. As a private chef she has worked for many well known families in South Florida as well as celebrity chefs such as Bobby Flay in "Throwdown", Alton Brown, Tyler Florence, Paula Deen, Giada Dilaurentis in "Grilling Masters", and Ingrid Hoffman in "Simply Delicioso" season one. Ease in the kitchen without sacrificing quality and flavor is a must for her; Chef Jeannette truly enjoys interacting with people and sharing her love and knowledge with others.
	Larry Goeser Guest Chef/Instructor Using his complete knowledge of beer and related businesses, craft beer aficionado, beer tasting extraordinaire Larry Goeser (Good Beer Larry) has taught beer to people from all around the world. His background includes beer tasting, beer and food pairings and other quality beer events at local restaurants and bars. He also has taught and developed beer curriculum at Miami-Dade College.