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Dan Huntsbarger
Executive Chef
Moveable Feast
223 E. Main St
Manchester, MI. 48158
(734) 428-9526
A food and wine guy for the 28 years. In 1986 Dan graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Dan and his wife, Carol, have owned two award winning restaurants and now devote all of their experience and passion for food into their catering Company, Moveable Feast.
Dan’s previous establishment, Daniel’s on Liberty, received many accolades. It was voted as one of our country’s top 100 restaurants by Zagat Survay, one of Michigan’s top 5 restaurants by Gourmet Magazine and one of America’s top 100 restaurants by Conde-Nast Traveler. Also, Dan’s River Grill was voted best new restaurant in AAA Michigan Living Magazine and it received 3.5 stars out of 4 in the Detroit News and Free Press.
Dan has had the opportunity to personally cook for Elizabeth Taylor, Lee Remick, Paul Newman and Bob Lutz to name a few. Most recently he was the exclusive caterer for Lee Bollinger, former president of the University of Michigan. His corporate clients include Toyota, General Motors, Dykama, Hyundi Kia, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital, Northwest Airlines and many others.
On a personal note, Dan was the first place winner of the Michigan Game and Game Fish Cook-off, 3 time gold medal winner of the Chef’s Triathlon Food Competition, and the silver medal winner of the Renaissance Pastry Competition. He also enjoys and has a true talent for ice carving. He has won 2 gold, 3 silver and 17 bonze ice craving medals.
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Thad Gillies
Honorary Chef
Logan - An American Restaurant
115 W. Washington St
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 327-2312
Attributing his experience and style to time spent in New York City working for Lespinasse and Union Square Café, Chef Thad is happy to have a place where he can express his creativity and love for good food. Chef Thad has combined elements from Asia, Meso-America and the Mediterranean into his dishes and describes his cuisine as New American.
Thad is married to Ann Turner, artist and professor of fine arts, whose modern abstract paintings line Logan’s terra cotta walls. The restaurant is held close to Thad’s heart, not only because it is a family run business, but because Logan is named after his first born son.
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Duc Tang
Lead Chef
Pacific Rim by Kana
114 W. Liberty St
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 662-9303
Chef Duc had no prior culinary experience before going to Pacific Rim. He worked as a social worker with the homeless in New York City and as a high school teacher in the inner-city of Los Angeles. Duc has been the chef at Pacific Rim for the past eight years.
Chef Duc is married and has three wonderful children. He enjoys being at home with his family, cooking for friends, woodworking, and playing tennis. His favorite foods are Vietnamese and Korean cuisine.
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Todd Osann
Host Chef
Michael’s Chop House
3200 Boardwalk
Ann Arbor, MI. 48108
(734) 929-3463
A life-long love of good food and wonderful memories led Chef Todd to a career in the culinary industry.
Beginning his culinary experience at his grandfather’s establishment, The Mayflower Hotel, was his most enjoyable culinary experience. He started like many others, washing dishes at the Grosse Pointe Club and Grosse Pointe Farms. He also learned the ins and outs of the restaurant business by working summers at the Garland Golf Resort.
In 1992, Chef Todd graduated from Schoolcraft College with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. He has been the executive chef at Michael’s Chop House for over ten years. In his spare time, Todd enjoys spending time with his wife Tracy and their two dogs, Sam and Bailey, gardening, camping, golfing, and NASCAR.
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Cheryl Hanewich
Chef
LaDolce Vita
322 S. Main St
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 669-8826
Cheryl is a completely self-taught pastry chef. Working mostly in fine dining establishments, she has had the honor to attend seminars by some of the world’s most noted pastry chefs. However, her favorite people to bake for are her family and friends, especially her three nephews and one niece.
Cheryl also loves to garden and dote on her two spoiled cats, Biscuit and Muffin.
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Scott Huckestein
Chef
Schakolad Chocolate Factory
110 E. Washington
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 213-1700
Leaving his career in aviation, Scott, along with his wife Dianna, now own and operate Schakolad Chocolate Factory, in downtown Ann Arbor. Scott serves as president, overseeing the daily operations and marketing for the business. He is also working to build the Schakolad Franchise in his area. Scott has supplied chocolate to NASCAR, Suberbowl, NFL and other large corporations. He is proud to be a part of the Ann Arbor business community and participate in local organizations.
Family means the world to Scott. His connection to the March of Dimes is deep because his son was born prematurely almost 6 years ago. Not a day goes by that he is not thankful for his wonderful family and his beautiful son.
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Craig Common
Chef
Common Grill
112 S Main St
Chelsea, MI. 48118
(734) 475-0470
Craig Common is the Executive Chef and owner of The Common Grill in Chelsea, Michigan. He began his career at the age of fourteen as a dishwasher in a Dearborn Heights restaurant. As a self-taught chef, Craig worked for C.A. Muer Corporation, eventually becoming Corporate Chef and overseeing sixteen Muer restaurants. In 1991, The Common Grill was opened and has consistently received outstanding reviews and ratings. Craig’s cookbook, The Common Grill Cookbook, came out in 2000 with a second cookbook following in 2005.
Craig’s future plans include opening an upscale seafood restaurant, also to be located in Chelsea. In his spare time he spends time with his wife, Donna, and their two children, Rachel and Brett. He enjoys golf and hockey.
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Dan Tesin
Chef
Victors at Dahlmann Campus Inn
615 E. Huron St
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 769-2282
Dan is a self-taught chef. He began his career in the culinary industry while in high school. After moving to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan, Dan’s first chef position was at the Whiffle Tree until it burned down in 1988. He then opened and ran the Golly Wobbler Restaurant. Also, before becoming executive chef at Victors in 1997, he worked at Robby’s for five years and the Broken Egg for three years. In addition, to being executive chef he is involved with the WCC Culinary School, charitable events, Taste of Health and Ann Arbor WineFest.
Dan lives in Chelsea with his twin nephews that he has raised since they were four years old. He lives to “wine and dine”, try new wow foods and be culinary challenged. He is an avid U of M sports fan and roots on the Detroit sports teams. He enjoys feeding the U of M football team and reinforcing the bond he has with the U of M athletes. In his free time, well what little free time he has, he works on his 120-year old home.
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Tye Elder
Chef
Weber’s Inn Restaurant
3050 Jackson Ave
Ann Arbor, MI. 48103
(734) 665-3636
Twenty-four years of culinary experience allows Chef Tye to put his signature twist on the food he serves. Chef Tye has worked for C.A. Muer Corporation and Mainstreet Ventures. Currently, Tye is the executive chef at Weber’s Inn Restaurant.
Away from the kitchen Tye puts his family first, spending as much time as possible with his wife and three beautiful children. He also enjoys playing golf, hockey and cheering on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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Robert Underwood
Chef
Mediterrano
2900 S. State Street, Suite #7
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 332-9700
Chef Robert has over twenty-years of culinary experience. He started his culinary journey while attending the University of Michigan and receiving a Bachelors of Science in Forestry and then earning a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Walsh Business School. Holding executive chef positions at The Village Club and The Kingsley Hotel both in Bloomfield Hills has garnered him accolades for his culinary knowledge. Chef Robert names Emile Jung, Brian Polcyn, The Swedish Chef, Robert and Michel Husser and Edward Janos as his culinary mentors.
Outside of the kitchen Robert enjoys hunting and is considered to be a "crack shot", skiing and mountain biking. However, his second love and passion is reading and book collecting.
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Christian Thompson
Chef
Christian’s Catering
45 Tolan St
Milan, MI. 48160
(734) 439-FOOD
Christian Thompson has over 15 years of experience in the food service industry. It has been his good fortune to work with some of the best culinary people across the country. Their inspiration has fueled his imagination to find his own niche in the business. With passion and determination Christian has created a catering company that delivers the highest quality food and service for all occasions. As a preferred caterer for the University of Michigan and Toyota Corporation, Christian’s culinary skills have become as versatile as the clientele he serves. From graduation parties and backyard barbeques to corporate groundbreaking ceremonies and upscale weddings, Christian’s simple yet elegant approach to catering has earned him a sterling reputation. Keeping up with the national trends he infuses local flavors with new ideas.
Catering allows Christian to create and share a piece of himself through the ever-changing world of food and still find time to spend with his wife Gina and son Benjamin. They love to travel and bring the big flavors of the world back home to their small town Milan Michigan.
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Justin Swain
Chef
Vinology
110 S. Main St
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 222-9841
Chef Justin’s first culinary adventures started when he was just a punk kid living in Pinckney, Michigan. He liked to explore in the kitchen mixing different ingredients and creating new tastes. Then, at the age of 14 he decided that he wanted to be a chef. Justin attended Schoolcraft College and believes that this is when he really had the chance to grow as a chef and person. He was able to absorb a lot of knowledge and experience as the sous chef for a few years and Justin was also the Team Captain for the Culinary Knowledge Bowl Team and studied extremely hard to win the National Championship in 2005.
Justin has a diverse background in the culinary industry, working in country clubs, catering and as a personal chef for professional athletes. His favorite kitchen is a hot line at a high-end restaurant. Chef Justin is excited to have recently taken on the Executive Chef position at Vinology and looks forward to working with the staff.
When he has a chance to get out of the kitchen he spends time with his beautiful, pregnant wife.
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Jeff Bliven
Chef
Chop House
322 S. Main St
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 669-8826
Jeff Bliven has been in the restaurant industry since the age of 16. He received his formal education from the Schoolcraft College with a degree in Culinary Arts. At Schoolcraft College Jeff was able to learn many tricks of the trade working as sous chef to Certified Master Chef Dan Huglier. He also trained at the Houston Country Club and worked under Brandon Johns at The Chop House, prior to becoming Executive Chef.
Outside of the kitchen, Jeff enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife, Lindsay, and fishing. He also roots on the Detroit Tigers and U of M Wolverines! Go Blue!
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Brandon Johns
Chef
Grange Kitchen and Bar
118 W. Liberty
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 995-2107
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Chef Brandon attended the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. Upon completion of his training Chef Brandon put his knowledge and creativity to work at New York Restaurants, York Grill and Park Avenue Café. Locally, Chef Brandon has left his signature mark on The Real Seafood Company, Mac’s Acadian Seafood Shack, Rightside Cellar and Chop House. However, he has now opened his own restaurant and it is getting rave reviews.
In his free time Brandon spends time with his wife, Sara, and their two daughters, Lily and Alice. Rounding out their family is their Weimaraner, Otis and cat, Sugar.
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Max Ramos
Chef
Melange
314 S. Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI. 48104
(734) 222-0202
Chef Max has made his mark in the culinary industry for over ten years. His experience is vast, with training in Italian, Spanish, Asian-America and Mediterranean cuisine. He is currently the Executive Chef at Melange and is putting his creativity, experience and passion for food into the menu!
When is able to be out of the kitchen he spend time with his wife and their beautiful nine month old baby girl. He also enjoys reading and playing soccer.
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