Chef Dan was named  Pastry Chef of the Year in 2017 by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). He also won Gold for Best Chocolate Showpiece at the National Team Pastry Championship in Desert Ridge in 2009.
Having been in the food service industry for more than 35 years with over 15 years of Teaching Experience, Chef Dan is passionate about baking and cooking, and it shows in his style of teaching and student engagement.
Chef Dan graduated from The Restaurant School, Philadelphia where he completed the Pastry Chef Training program. He began his career in Atlantic City, New Jersey where he worked for various organizations, and rose from the ranks of Pastry Cook to Executive Pastry Chef.
Some of the hotels and organizations that Chef Dan has worked exclusively for include Tropicana, Trump Hotels, Four Seasons and Hilton.
Until recently, Chef Dan also taught at Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale, Arizona, the Art Institute in Phoenix, and the Scottsdale Community College as a Chef Instructor.
He is also the creator of his own successful Recreational Cooking School (L'Academie Baking & Cooking School) in Gilbert, AZ which he sold in 2022.