Chef Mary Pagan, combining her extensive management background, ability as a Chef and her love of teaching, has developed the Culinary Center of Monterey to share her love of the Culinary Arts with others.
         
After several years in Corporate Management, Mary enrolled at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco where she graduated with honors.  She worked in the capacity of Executive Chef in several locations before finding herself in beautiful Monterey, California.  After a very short time, Mary knew this is where she wanted to stay and build her dream.
         
Her concept, to develop a food and wine resource complex.  To provide the finest hands on culinary instruction to the general public, as well as experienced chefs and those interested in a career in the culinary arts.
         
Since the opening of the Culinary Center in February of 2001, there have been many changes.  The hands-on cooking classes have grown to become well known across the country, as well as the Corporate Teambuilding’s, Parties and Special Events. 
         
In January of 2005, The Culinary Center received State Certification for the 12 month, 1500 hour Culinary Arts Program.  The students receive state-of-the art training from an excellent staff of Executive Chef Instructors, and also frequently work on the many large scale events such as the AT&T at Pebble Beach, The Concours d’Elegance, Masters of Food & Wine, and Cooking for Solutions.  They have even had the honor of cooking for and meeting President Bill Clinton.  With 100% placement of graduates since the schools beginning, we are proud to report that our students are working in many high-end restaurants here on the peninsula as well as prestigious positions in Idaho, Florida, Hawaii and Texas.
         
Chef Mary has recently begun a new program called “Growing the Future”.  In this healthy eating program, she will work with other Chefs, Doctors, Nutritionists, Schools and parents to combat the childhood obesity problems we are now facing.  These classes will be free to the public, sponsored by The Monterey Culinary Arts Foundation. 

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Hallie has an extensive background in education, having been a teacher here in the U.S. and also in France, but followed her dream to become a Corporate Jet Pilot.  After her retirement, many years of flying around the world and eating in the best restaurants, her love of food and wine brought her to the Culinary Center.  Her knowledge of education and her extensive knowledge of the culinary world has made her a valuable and
Dedicated asset to our State Certified Culinary Arts Program.
         
For more information regarding the one year, 1500 hour program, you can contact Hallie at...
Hallie McGonigal
Culinary Arts School Registrar
(831) 333-2141
Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00 pm
hallie@culinarycenterofmonterey.com

Hallie McGonigal Bio See Our California Culinary School Web Site

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Michelle Skipwith, Event Coordinator

Michelle, being a California native, has extensive knowledge of the activities here on the Monterey Peninsula as well as the many activities offered here at the Culinary Center.  When you’re ready to create a corporate event that is especially prepared for your group, Michelle will work with you to make sure it’s an event that will be enjoyed by all and long remembered.
         
For more information on Corporate Teambuilding, Parties, Fundraisers, or just a day of cooking and eating together, give Michelle a call at…..

Michelle Skipwith,
Culinary Center of Monterey Event Planner
(831) 333-2133
Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00 pm
michelle@culinarycenterofmonterey.com

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Lola Pagan
Web Manager/Sales/One-Day Classes
(831) 333-2128
Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:00 pm

lpagan@culinarycenterofmonterey.com

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