Chef Brian Minkin is currently an instructor for the SPC- Seminole, Hospitality Management Program and a Culinary Arts Instructor for Pinellas Technical College (PTC) .

 

With over twenty years of industry experience, Chef Minkin has worked primarily in the back of the house operations of various food service establishments, with a central focus on commercial/institutional operations and a personal involvement in food production instruction and training. Chef Minkin was guided by such Chefs as Walter Talmage, Chef Charles Barrett and former Chef Instructor, Chef Roland Chaton. Previously, Chef Minkin worked under the guidance of retired PTEC Clearwater Chef Instructor Vincent Calandra C.C.E., the former Department Chairman of Pinellas Technical Education Center’s Culinary Arts department. 

 

Experienced in nearly every facet of the kitchen, Chef Minkin has worked himself “up the ladder” from an entry-level Fry-Cook, to various management level positions, including Chef, Manager and Food Service Director. Having attained the status of “Chef” amongst his peers, Chef Minkin continues to expand his repertoire by studying various cuisines and food origins and presents these topics to his students as part of his course lectures and kitchen laboratory exercises. 

 

Chef Minkin began his educational career at the Marchman Vocational School Culinary Arts & Commercial Foods Course in New Port Richey. Chef Minkin continued his studies and earned an Associate of Science in Hospitality Management from Pasco Hernando Community College. An alumnus of the Florida International University, School of Hospitality Management, Chef Minkin completed his Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Management.

 

Chef Minkin has served as a Journeyman for the Pinellas County (Florida) Cooks Apprentiship program and has been associated  with the American Culinary Federation (ACF) for the past eighteen years. Chef Minkin has served as the Vice President for the  “ACF Suncoast Cooks and Chefs,” and was 2007 "Chapter Chef of the Year."  Chef Minkin is also associated with the Dietary Managers Association and the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF).  Chef Minkin is a Certified Instructor/Proctor for the ServeSafe program and has his certification through the NRAEF as a Manage First Instructor. Mr. Minkin has served as a product evaluator for Restaurants and Institutions magazine and is a Bill Fisher Scholar through the American Hotel & Lodging Association.