June National

HOSPITALITY NEWS JUNE | Page 19 society established to maintain and promote the traditions of French cuisine. Gleam International. She was inducted into the La Chaine des Rotisseurs, the world’s oldest international gastronomic society, founded in Paris in 1248, and the Disciples of Escoffier International- USA, the premier gastronomic In April 2019, Chef Coco was selected by Smithfield Foods and the American Culinary Federation (ACF) as one of 40 chefs nationwide for their Smithfield Culinary Partners in Culinary Excellence Program. She was selected as New Chefs Fashions Inc.1st Female Chef Elite/Influencer - 2019. Le Cordon Bleu “President’s MVP of Service Award - 2016. Chef Coco was the first woman sworn in as 2nd VP of the ACF Atlanta Chefs Association and received the 2015 “Humanitarian of the Year” award. She has held several positions on the ACF Atlanta Board of Directors. Chef Coco is currently a member of the ACF Tampa Bay Chapter and the ACF Chef to Child Southeast Regional Representative and a mentor for

Chef Coco’s experience spans over 30 years in hospitality, fashion/entertainment, and culinary education. Her culinary and hospitality experience includes the New York Plaza Hotel, The former New York Windows on the World Restaurant, and Emeril’s Tchoup Chop. Chef Coco is also currently a Chef Educator at Escoffier School of Culinary Arts online. She mentors young chefs and fashion students in the U.S. as well as several countries in Africa and India. She is a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts and was also an educator at her alma mater.

Chef Coco was the fashion designer and stylist for celebrities such as LL Cool J, Music Producer Teddy Riley, GUY, BlackStreet, Wreckx N Effect, Positive K and was Assistant Designer to Play from the rap duo Kid N Play, just to name a few. Her clothing has appeared in the movie House Party 2, TV shows, music videos, magazines, national and international concerts. Chef Coco was selected by the Super Bowl Committee as a business food vendor for NFL Super Bowl 2021. She was also selected by Global Forum for Education and Learning (GFEL) as one of the Top 100 Leaders in Education and Leadership for 2020.