Chef Doug Cooperman Chef Instructor

Chef Doug Cooperman is a culinary arts graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. He has accumulated over 15 years as a culinary professional. While in school, Chef Doug spent 6 months as an intern at The State Department, Washington, DC. While there, Chef Doug had the opportunity to meet and cook for various heads of state including the president of Kenya, senior political officials of Switzerland, Nelson Mandela, and numerous other dignitaries.

Upon graduating Chef Doug began a season at the prestigious Clam Bake Club of Newport where he quickly rose to lead cook and finished the season with a standing ovation of the clubs' members.

After relocating to Virginia Beach, Chef Doug quickly found himself as executive chef of a bistro on the waterfront. He established himself as an up and coming star among the ranks of popular oceanfront eateries. In his 2 year tenure at the Blue Water Café he received many local awards and strong reviews from local press and critics.

With an opportunity to work in a prestigious law firm in Washington DC, Chef Doug moved into corporate dining with Guest Services, Inc. where he had the opportunity to prepare meals for international attorneys and their clients while developing a strong managerial foundation. Since then he has worked with Sodexho, USA opening new dining facilities for Hewlett Packard, Household Finance, Sony, BAE Systems, and others.

Chef Doug has spent the last 4 years in Andalusia, Spain where he taught culinary arts and wellness classes while studying the cuisines of Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, and Morocco. His real love was the simple tapas, small dishes, and great wines and Sherries.

We are very proud to have Chef Doug join our teaching staff here at the Culinary Center of Monterey. His expertise and excellent teaching abilities continue to be of great benefit to our student chefs with their eye on a career in the culinary field.

Along with a very full schedule of classes with our vocational program, Chef Doug has also created and is teaching a series of classes for kids. Along with encouraging young people to try their hand in the kitchen, he stresses kitchen safety and good nutrition. These classes have been extremely successful in teaching new skills, new eating habits, and lots of fun!