We all want to be the best and to have the best food service operation. Speaker Christopher Koetke has created a best-in-class foodservice operation at Kendall College and will take the stage to inspire the push for excellence in each of our programs. It takes drive, vision and passion, and the kind of teams that will work to move each and every company forward.
Christopher Koetke, Executive Director, Culinary School, Kendall College
Christopher Koetke is Vice President of the Kendall College School of Culinary Arts in Chicago and Vice President of Baltimore-based Laureate Universities International Center of Excellence in Culinary Arts. Since 2011, he has led the strategic direction of Laureate’s culinary arts programs worldwide while maintaining a strong presence at Kendall. An expert on international education, Christopher also has his finger on the pulse of global food, beverage and hospitality trends.
Under Christopher's leadership, Kendall’s School of Culinary Arts was named Cooking School of the Year in 2008 by the Academy of the Culinary Arts Cordon d’ Or – Gold Ribbon. Also that year, the school’s culinary-arts program was named an “exemplary culinary program” by the American Culinary Federation (ACF).
Currently serving as a Conseillèr Culinaire Provincial for the Midwest region in La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs—the world’s oldest international gastronomic society—Christopher also is the recent past chair and continues to serve on the American Culinary Federation Foundation (ACFF) Accrediting Commission. Additionally, he is an active member of the Conserve Action Council of the National Restaurant Association (NRA), ACF, Research Chefs Association, International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC) and Les Disciples d’Escoffier.
