giftsfromtheancestors

Meet SOWELA’s chefs and culinary instructors participating in the Louisiana Food & Wine Festival. Their students are involved in every event under the tutelage of these great instructors!

Chef Roy Angelle has more than 12 years of experience as a culinary instructor at both the high school and college levels. He began his career in the culinary industry at a young age and worked his way up through the ranks to Executive Chef. At the age of 30, Chef Roy began his teaching career in culinary and has since trained several hundred students.

Chef Chad Jackson started his culinary career early and worked his way up to Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio while at the California Culinary Academy. He has served as the executive chef for several California restaurants, created Jax2 Catering, and Jackson’s Restaurant Consulting Team. Chef Chad has also served as Room Chef at Jack Daniels in L’auberge until the creation of Jackson Deli. He has worked as a private chef and nutrition consultant for various actors, musicians, and athletes. Today, he is a culinary instructor to develop students who enjoy and have enthusiasm for the culinary field.

Chef Jerry Sonnier’s mission in teaching is to advance students’ knowledge in the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Industry. With his education, working knowledge, and an abundance of real-world information, he has much to offer individuals seeking to expand their knowledge of culinary baking and pastries. Chef Jerry began his career in the culinary industry at a young age and worked his way up through the ranks to executive chef. At the age of 29, he began his teaching career as a Culinary Instructor and Program Coordinator, a position he still holds today.

Chef Earline Thomas has more than 35 years of experience as a culinary instructor and a seasoned culinary hospitality professional. Chef Earline offers an open-door policy, always wanting to engage with students and provide a listening ear. She continues to learn and grow along with her students.

The Diaspora Food Stories video is now on YouTube. Special thanks to The Global Food and Drink Initiative and Cuisine Noir.
Sheree, you are the best!

Culinary Instructor and Author Sheri Raleigh Empowers the next Generation of Women in Hospitality Sheri Raleigh is a prominent chef Instructor and the owner of Cast Iron Skillet Culinaire, LLC, based in Waco, Texas. She has made significant contributions ...

Check out this issue of Cuisine Noir!

The Weekly Dish: A Jamaican Chef and Haitian Winemaker Create the Ultimate Food and Wine Experiences Sheri L. Raleigh is a prominent chef Instructor and the owner of Cast Iron Skillet Culinaire, LLC, based in Waco, Texas. She has made significant contributions to the culinary world as the founder of the Gifts From The Ancestors Foodways Project and the author of two notable works, “Okra & Tomatoe...