Chef Andres Marin Named Regional Educator of the Year

Andres Marin, a graduate who later was hired as an instructor at Community College of Philadelphia and as coordinator of its Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management programs, has been named the region’s chef educator of the year.

The announcement was made during the March 10 Annual President’s Ball of the Philadelphia Delaware Valley Chefs, which is the regional chapter of the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

The Educator of the Year honors “an active culinary instructor who has enhanced the image of the profession and serves as a leader to students seeking culinary careers.” It is based on an individual’s professional and instructional achievements.

Marin, who serves as treasurer of the regional ACF chapter, will receive a plaque and an invitation to compete against three other regional winners for a $5,000 cash prize at the national convention in Kansas City, MO in July.

Interim President Judith Gay, Ph.D., and a fellow instructor, Bill Vasvary, attended the evening’s festivities, along with three students. A 1996 graduate of the College’s culinary program, Marin said that his goal is to help students understand that culinary arts is not just a profession — it’s a lifestyle.

"I always tell my students that, in this industry, you need to be very dedicated. We work every major holiday. We’re away from our families, so there has to be a love for the industry," said Marin, who is a Certified Executive Chef. "Food, to me, is expressed in many different ways... and I learn as much from my students as they do, because each of them has a different way of interpreting a dish."

While he didn’t cook a meal to win regional Educator of the Year, he will present a lecture demonstration before judges for the national competition held in Kansas City in August. He doesn’t know what he’ll cook but says it may reflect his own preferences. "I’m a steak and potato person," he said.