My name is Chef Szalkowski, you can call me chef S. or just chef.  To pronounce my name correctly it is broken down like this, shell-cow-ski. 

My love for food started at a young age working by my mother and grandmothers side in the kitchen preparing our holiday meals. In high school I realized I had a knack for baking and cake decorating, so I started my own little business selling special occasion and wedding cakes.

I am a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY, where I specialized in pastry arts.  I worked in hotels, restaurants, bakeries, catering halls, and large production kitchens, working every station in the front-of-the-house and back-of-the-house. 

In 1992 I moved to Cleveland and opened my own bakery supplying restaurants, coffee houses, and local sporting venues with a variety of pastries. In 1999 I accepted a position at Jane Addams to fulfill a long-time dream of teaching and sharing my love for the Culinary Arts with students. I sold the bakery business and the rest is history. I have been honored by the district as both a Communicate with HEART and Excellence in Teaching award recipient.

Today I teach Courses in dining room management, customer service, grade manager, ServSafe food safety certification, pastry arts, intro to hospitality, advanced food prep, and American and international cuisine.

Bon Appetit and Carpe Diem!