Our Faculty & Staff
Our Faculty & Staff
Lauren Buffa
Curriculum Developer/Chef Instructor
Chef Lauren Buffa attended Texas A&M University and received her Bachelor’s of Science in Health. She later attended The Culinary School of Fort Worth and completed the Professional Culinary Program. Chef Buffa specializes in health, nutrition and pastry arts.
Ethan Starr
Culinary Operations Manager/Chef Instructor
Chef Ethan Starr has been in the restaurant industry for over 16 years and has spent 13 out of those 16 years studying sushi. His most recent position before becoming a full-time chef instructor was Head Sushi Chef/Sous Chef at Tokyo Cafe.
Edward Gutierrez, CEC
Chef Instructor
Chef Edward Gutierrez served in the United States Navy as a Culinary Specialist and has worked in over a dozen restaurants in the Fort Worth and has 15+ years of experience in the culinary industry. Chef Gutierrez is a Certified Executive Chef®.
Mark Hitri
Chef Instructor
Chef Mark Hitri is the Executive Chef of The Culinary School of Fort Worth and has worked as a Chef de Cuisine and Executive Chef at numerous high ranking restaurants including Saint Emilion, Vidalia’s, and Renaissance Worthington Hotel. Having worked in the culinary industry for over 25 years, Chef Hitri specializes in classic French cuisine, and looks to culinary masterminds such as Daniel Boulud, and Jacques Pepin for inspiration.
Maddie Sharp
Adjunct Chef Instructor, Executive Chef at Meyer & Sage
Carl Phillips
Adjunct Chef Instructor, Pastry Chef at Petroleum Club
Jeffrey Thompson
Adjunct Chef Instructor
Ched Pagtakhan
Adjunct Chef Instructor, Owner/Operator of Just Encased
Administrative Staff
Scott Wade
President
Scott Wade is president of The Culinary School of Fort Worth. He and the team at The CSFTW are committed to leveraging the school’s capital for the good of its students, alumni and the local culinary community as a whole. Scott received his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University. He has a background in operations, management and finance. He enjoys investing in his local community by serving as an elder at Fort Worth Presbyterian Church and serving in the past on the board of Covenant Classical School and as a trustee for The Fort Worth Employees’ Retirement Fund. Scott is grateful to have three sons and a wonderful wife. His favorite pastime is heading down to Rockport, TX with the family where they enjoy the beach and some good salt-water fishing.
Amy Jewell
Admissions Coordinator
Amy is the Admissions Coordinator at The Culinary School of Fort Worth. She has lived in Texas her whole life and is proud to call it home. Amy graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree. She has a background in product development and customer service. She is excited to see how she can impact the culinary community and enjoy its creativity. Amy enjoys making jewelry, gardening and spending time with family and friends. She shares her home with her lovable pets Maggie Mae (dog) and Mavis (cat).
Danielle Rueter
Director of Compliance & Financial Aid
Danielle is the Director of Compliance at The Culinary School of Fort Worth. She grew up in Fort Worth, Texas and loves calling it home. Danielle graduated from Saint Petersburg College in Clearwater, Florida and returned to Texas in 2013. She has a background in office management, compliance, and financials in both the electronic recycling and automotive industries. She enjoys travelings, spending time with her wonderful family and friends, and loves being involved in the local culinary community.
Michele Reichman
Admissions Assistant
Michele has lived all over the country, but she has lived in Fort Worth for 18 years and worked in administration for 30 years. She is active in her church: singing in the choir, handbells and mentoring ladies. In her free time she loves baking, making greeting cards, sewing and traveling with her husband Al. They have one daughter and a son-in-law.
James Creange
Marketing & Social Media Manager
James is the Marketing and Social Media Manager at the Culinary School of Fort Worth. He grew up in North Haledon, New Jersey but is now happy to call Fort Worth home.
James graduated from TCU in May of 2017 with a FTDM-Sports Broadcasting Degree. He has a strong background in both radio and podcasting.
He enjoys traveling around the country to see his friends and family. His favorite pastime is attending movies and concerts.
Casey Gaines
Office Manager
Casey is the Office Manager at The Culinary School of Fort Worth. She is a proud resident of Weatherford, Texas.
Casey developed a love for the culinary industry as a child. Her mom is a Chef, and they spent many hours in the kitchen together.
Casey enjoys her time at home being a mother and wife; she loves volunteering at her children’s school. On the weekends you can find them trying new restaurants or catching a movie.
Advisory Board
Richard Miller
Human Resources, The Mansion at Turtle Creek
James Morris
Executive Chef, Mira Vista Country Club
Ginger Blazek
Owner, Zenzero Kitchen
Kim Church
Dept Chair, Culinary Arts at Northside High School, FWISD
Patrick Mitchell CEC, AAC, FWMCS
Executive Chef/Culinary Advisor, Ben E. Keith Foods - DFW Division
Russel Kirkpatrick
General Manager, Reata
Ched Pagtakhan
Owner, Just Encased