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.

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...

Todd Braley

Executive Chef and Director of Culinary Operations

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...