Chefs' Table Culinary Classes at Corporate College

Chef Tynisa Acoff-Roubideaux—affectionately known as Chef T—, is the Founder of Food with Purpose LLC. Chef T is a passionate culinary entrepreneur, wellness educator and community advocate whose mission is to heal and empower through food. As the visionary behind Food with Purpose LLC, she has built a dynamic, multi-service enterprise rooted in the belief that food is not only nourishment, but medicine, education and transformation. Drawing on lived experiences, and a deep commitment to health equity, Chef T has designed programs that meet people where they are—whether they’re battling chronic illness, learning to cook for the first time, or recovering after an athletic event. Her work focuses on closing the gap  between healthy food access and long-term wellness, especially within underserved communities. With a signature blend of purpose, passion, integrity and consistency, Chef T leads with authenticity and impact in every venture.

Learn more about Acoff-Roubideaux and her culinary experience at Food with Purpose LLC.

Chef Charene Bradley is the owner and executive chef of Vegan Vybez, a thriving plant-based catering company specializing in bold, flavor-packed Panamanian and Caribbean cuisine. Since founding the business in 2018, Bradley has emerged as a culinary force in Cleveland's vegan food scene, earning recognition for her innovative approach to plant-based cooking and commitment to community wellness.

A passionate advocate for food justice and education, Bradley regularly partners with Rid-All Green Partnership, where she teaches cooking demos and encourages the community to embrace plant-based eating. Her mission is simple but powerful: "Rooted in heritage, driven by flavor — bringing people together through the richness of culture and plant-based cuisine."

Learn more about Bradley and her culinary experience at Vegan Vybez and La Chomba.

Chef Peggi Cruz has been working in the culinary industry for 20 years, with experience in restaurants across Cleveland, Ohio. Her love for cooking began at a young age, inspired by her mother, who taught her how to prepare authentic Puerto Rican cuisine. That early experience sparked a lifelong love for food and its transformative power. In 2011, Cruz earned a degree in culinary arts from the Cuyahoga Community College Hospitality Management Program. Since then, she has become the owner and executive chef of Cha’firo Catering & Events. Cruz ran a full-service restaurant for three years and has been a strong advocate for food security and sustainability in her neighborhood. She is especially passionate about creating healthier versions of traditional Puerto Rican staples - without losing any of its flare! Most recently, Cruz combined her love of food and community engagement by organizing a neighborhood block party to introduce a new community garden. The space serves as a teaching and learning space where everyone can come together, plant seeds and watch them grow.

Learn more about Cruz and her culinary experience at CHA'FIRO.

Chef Saidah Farrell is a dedicated entrepreneur and educator with a passion for culinary innovation and mentorship. As the CEO of Olivia Rose Confections, she has built a brand that not only delivers high-quality, all-natural confections but also provides high school students with valuable entry-level experience in the food industry. Her commitment to fostering creativity and professional growth has made Olivia Rose Confections a unique intersection of craftsmanship and education.

Within Olivia Rose Confections, Farrell has developed two distinctive sub-brands: Joy Craft Cocoa and the Marshmallow of the Month Club. These specialty offerings celebrate the art of artisan marshmallows and gourmet hot chocolate experiences, inviting customers to embrace creativity in the kitchen and savor thoughtfully crafted flavors.

Learn more about Farrell and her culinary experience at Joy Craft Cocoa.

Chef Adenike Harper, also known as the Gourmet Girl, is the founder and CEO of Gourmet Girl Custom Cakes, an award-winning cake studio based in Cleveland, Ohio. A self-taught baker with over 20 years of experience, Harper is a true sugar storyteller — curating art gallery-worthy cakes that reflect the heart and soul of her clients' most cherished moments.

With cake as her canvas and her clients as muses, she creates couture desserts that are as meaningful as they are delicious. From unforgettable wedding cakes to luxury dessert tables to her signature line of cake jars available at Meijer Fairfax Market, Harper brings sweetness to life's biggest (and smallest) moments.

But beyond the buttercream and beauty, desserts are in her DNA.

Her inspiration for the Baking Legacy: Genealogy and Food Memories cooking class is deeply personal. Her mother was the family historian, tracing their ancestry to the 1830s. Today, Harper continues that journey, using DNA and historical records to trace their lineage as far back as 1250 England. Through her research, she discovered that artisanship and culinary gifts run deep in her family tree.

Baking Legacy is a heartfelt and interactive class that invites others to explore their own culinary heritage. Participants will:

• Bake a classic cream cheese pound cake
• Learn the basics of genealogy and build a family tree
• Share food stories and memories
• Reflect on the ways food connects generations

Students are encouraged (but not required) to bring handwritten family recipe cards and photos of loved ones connected to a cherished dish. And for those without food memories to bring, this class is a chance to create and document new traditions — ones that reflect your story and legacy.

Whether you're honoring the past or beginning something new, Baking Legacy is an opportunity to nourish your roots and soul — one slice at a time.

Learn more about Harper and her culinary experience at Gourmet Girl Custom Cakes.

A dynamic leader and visionary, Chef Tiwanna Scott-Williams is the founder and CEO of the PearlFlower Brand, a hospitality enterprise encompassing PearlFlower Catering, Pearl's Kitchen and the PearlFlower Foundation. A registered nurse-turned-chef, Scott-Williams drew inspiration from her grandmothers, Pearline Scott and Delores Flowers, to transform her passion for food into a thriving business. Under her leadership, the PearlFlower brand has become a prominent name in the culinary industry, known for its commitment to excellence and community engagement.

In 2018, Scott-Williams' culinary talents were recognized when she won a chef's showcase event, leading to a partnership with Aramark and the Cleveland Cavaliers. This collaboration resulted in the launch of Pearl's Kitchen inside Rocket Arena, making her the first Black woman to own a restaurant within the arena.

Learn more about Scott-Williams and her culinary experience at Pearl's Kitchen.

Chef Eric Wells is the chef and owner of Skye LaRae's Culinary Services, the leading private chef company in Northeast Ohio. Skye LaRae's specializes in intimate dinners for two, dinner parties, hors d'oeuvres events and catered events. For over 20 years, Skye LaRae's has provided amazing service, outstanding food and wonderful experiences to thousands of clients.

Learn more about Wells and his culinary experience at Skye La Rae's.