HomeCulinary Arts Program About Us FAQ Private EventsClassesCalendarGift Cards Staff THE PROFESSIONAL CULINARY ARTS PROGRAM CHEF INSTRUCTORS John Parks Executive Chef Instructor Chef John began his storied career with eight years in the restaurant industry in Denver, San Francisco, and Germany. To expand upon his inherent talent, John attended Cook Street’s Professional Culinary Program in 2005. After establishing himself as a respected Personal Chef he returned just six months after graduation to join Cook Street as a Recreational Class Chef Instructor. He worked his way up to Lead Chef Instructor and in 2012 was promoted into the Professional Culinary Arts Program. In January 2014 he was assigned the prestigious role of Executive Chef Instructor for the school. He brings to us an invaluable sense of creativity, passion, and fathomless knowledge. Combined with his patient demeanor he is the ideal instructor to usher our students into their new culinary endeavors. Read the Denver Westword’s Chef & Tell blog about Chef Parks, here Deanna Scimio Executive Pastry Chef Instructor RECREATIONAL CLASS & PRIVATE EVENT CHEF INSTRUCTORS Barb Sagel Chef Instructor Chef Barb is a Colorado native who happily grew up in the kitchen with her mom and grandmas. She was a frequent attendee of Cook Street’s Recreational Program classes for many years before she went to Parma, Italy with the European Tour. She then completed the Professional Culinary Program in 2015 and is thrilled to continue her long history with Cook Street as a Chef Instructor. She appreciates the amazing opportunity to continue learning from and teaching with the talented chefs at Cook Street. She loves baking, cooking with friends, canning anything that will fit into a jar and volunteering at the SAME cafe, a non-profit restaurant in Denver. Sam Friedman Chef Instructor After earning a Master’s in Teaching from the Colorado College, Chef Sam decided to break from a direct teaching path and pursue his passion in cooking by attending Cook Street’s Professional Culinary Arts Program. Throughout his educational pursuits, teaching K-12 and working in schools to promote the development of social and emotional literacies in students, his love and connection food remained. Interacting with and sharing food represents the most prolific thread of Sam’s interests and passions. In his work as an instructor at Cook Street, Sam strives to continue to connect with others through the communal and interactive learning opportunities present in this unique educational and culinary setting. Zach Jennings Chef Instructor Chef Zach grew up with a large family in Chicago and has a great passion for the way in which food brings family, friends, and strangers together. After working as a commercial fisherman in California he transitioned into the culinary industry working in a taqueria in Santa Barbara, California. After moving to Portland, Oregon he continued to work in a kitchen until moving to Colorado to attend the Professional Culinary Program. Shortly after graduating he was hired on as a Chef Instructor. He is excited to continue learning from his fellow chef instructors and to share his growing knowledge with anyone and everyone that will listen. Jared Kendall Chef Instructor Jared always wanted to cook from an early age. The influence from his grandfather as a Candyman and entrepreneur inspired him to pursue a career in the culinary arts. Starting as a dishwasher as a teenager he quickly rose through the ranks. He decided to pursue a more formal education at Cook Street in 2014. After graduating he worked at various restaurants in Denver and even works as a personal chef and caterer. While exploring in the Rocky Mountains he developed a passion for foraging and building relationships with local farms. HEADQUARTERS Cook Street School of Culinary Arts 43 W. 9th Ave | Denver | CO 80204 HOURS Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturdays & Sundays, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM CONTACT cafe@cookstreet.com admissions@cookstreet.com (303) 308-9300