Our philosophy is simple: bring together diverse, passionate minds and create a culture that empowers everyone to do their best work.
With over 36 years in the culinary industry—and more than 25 as an Executive Chef—Chef Jerry Garcia has made his mark at some of the Milwaukee and Waukesha area’s most notable restaurants, including Eddie Martini’s, Heaven City, Coast, and Foolery’s. His career also extends beyond the kitchen, with television appearances on Fox Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Network, and WISN.
Born and raised in Waukesha, Jerry began cooking at 16 simply because he needed a job—and loved to eat. By 21, his work had transformed into a true passion, launching him into a lifelong culinary career. Along the way, he has earned numerous awards and accolades, building a reputation for excellence and versatility.
Jerry’s extensive repertoire of authentic cuisines allows him to teach classes inspired by flavors from around the globe. Known for his fun, outgoing personality and infectious enthusiasm, he brings an energy to the classroom that makes every session both educational and entertaining. When he’s not in the kitchen, you might find him tending to his tarantula collection or “pretending” to play the saxophone. At Chef Pam’s Kitchen, his passion for food—and for sharing it with others—is what keeps students coming back for more.
Chef Jen has been part of the Chef Pam’s Kitchen team since 2020, but her culinary journey began long before that—at just 4 years old, cooking alongside her stepmom, who catered events around town. That early start sparked a lifelong love for food and bringing people together.
Jen proudly served in the Army for 8 years, often hosting cookouts for her battle buddies. Her passion for creating meals that connect people led her to WCTC, where she earned degrees in Hospitality and Culinary Arts. Since graduating, she has honed her skills and now teaches many of our most popular classes, including Chicago-Style Stuffed Pizza, kids’ and teens’ cooking classes, and—after an inspiring trip to Italy—her personal favorite, pasta-making classes.
Paula Andraski credits her husband and kids for sparking her journey into the culinary world. Always eager to lend a hand at school and church functions, she often found herself running the kitchen—whether it was rolling dozens of meatballs or baking 30 pans of lasagna. Her love for creating special moments through food grew even more when she began taking cake decorating classes, crafting fun and memorable birthday cakes for her family.
Her true culinary turning point came during the pandemic. When her 15-year anniversary trip to Italy was canceled, Paula was determined to do “something Italian.” She discovered A Night in Italy cooking class at a new cooking school in Waukesha—on the very night of their anniversary—and that’s where she met Chef Pam.
Just a year later, Paula joined Chef Pam’s Kitchen as a Chef Assist. Before long, she was promoted to Sous Chef, leading our beloved Chicago-Style Stuffed Pizza classes. Today, she also teaches kids’ classes and has come full circle—now teaching the very class that started it all, A Night in Italy.
For Erica, food has always been more than just a meal—it’s a tradition, a creative outlet, and a way to connect with others. She grew up surrounded by family recipes passed down from her grandmothers and hands-on cooking sessions with her parents, where the kitchen was the heart of the home.
With formal culinary training from Mount Mary University, Erica blends classic techniques with her own artistic flair, transforming cooking into both a creative expression and a joyful challenge. Now pursuing a degree in Art Therapy, she brings a unique, healing perspective to her classes—combining the joy of food with the therapeutic power of creativity.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, Erica’s classes are designed to spark confidence, encourage experimentation, and make cooking approachable and fun. A passionate advocate for helping others, she believes every meal is an act of self-care and that the kitchen is a place to nourish both body and soul.
Pastry Chef Elizabeth Lindberg is a graduate of the prestigious French Pastry School in Chicago, following in the footsteps of her father, a gourmet chef. Growing up in a culinary family, she developed a deep passion for the pastry arts, turning her love of baking into a lifelong career.
As a full-time pastry instructor and owner of Petunia and Honey Baking Co. LLC, Elizabeth’s mission is to make French patisserie approachable and fun for home bakers. She brings her expertise, creativity, and warm teaching style to every class, inspiring students to bring a taste of Paris into their own kitchens.
Crystal is a guest instructor at Chef Pam’s Kitchen and the owner of Zia’s Sweets, where she blends her passion for cookie decorating with her love for all things sweet.
Before stepping into the culinary world, Crystal worked for many years as a sign language interpreter in schools. In her free time, she explored different crafts and home-based businesses, but it was when she combined her love of baking, creativity, and sharing with others that she truly found her calling.
Crystal’s classes are filled with creativity, laughter, and plenty of hands-on fun. She loves helping students discover their inner cookie artist and takes great joy in seeing the beautiful (and delicious) creations they make. Whether you’re brand-new to cookie decorating or a seasoned baker, her classes are always a treat.
When she’s not baking or teaching, you can find Crystal curled up on the couch with a good book and a hot fudge sundae—topped with mint ice cream, of course.
Beth is a passionate baker with a love for exploring new recipes and pushing her culinary creativity! She’s especially fascinated by the art of sourdough and enjoys finding delicious ways to work it into just about every meal at home. Her go-to comfort food? Crispy, golden fried chicken. And when it comes to sweet indulgences, nothing beats chocolate-covered pretzels.
Outside the kitchen, Beth is an elementary school teacher with over twenty years of experience, dedicated to helping children discover the joy of reading and achieve academic success. At Chef Pam’s, she combines her love of teaching with her culinary skills, bringing energy, fun, and hands-on learning to our Kids Summer Camps.
Sean O’Brien is the Pitmaster and Owner of Smokey OB’s BBQ and has been sharing his expertise at Chef Pam’s Kitchen since 2022. Known for keeping things old-school and simple, Sean prides himself on serving fresh, flavorful BBQ that’s as satisfying as it is unpretentious.
Before turning his passion into a career, Sean spent 10 years in the print industry. After getting married and starting a family, he found himself working odd hours and away from home too often. Determined to make a change, he followed his love for smoking meats—a skill rooted in childhood memories of grilling alongside his dad. Over the years, he’s experimented with all kinds of cooking styles, but smoking has always been the most exciting to him.
Outside the smoker, Sean is a self-proclaimed “hobby guy.” He enjoys cars, fishing, disc golf, gardening, raising chickens and goats, and being a stay-at-home dad. Whether in the kitchen or the backyard, Sean brings passion, craftsmanship, and a love for great food to everything he does.
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Emilia’s love for baking began during the five years she spent living and studying in Europe. Between exploring charming cafés and enrolling in culinary classes abroad, she discovered the magic of pastry and sweets. After earning her degree from an international business school and returning home, she started baking for friends and family—just for fun.
What began as a side project quickly grew into Mili Wonka Treats—a full-time passion turned business, where every dessert is made with creativity, care, and a touch of European inspiration. Now a seasoned baker and dessert artist, Emilia shares her expertise through baking and decorating classes for aspiring home bakers of all ages.
Known for her approachable teaching style and attention to detail, her classes are a local favorite—where learning is just as fun as tasting. Her mission is simple: to create custom desserts for every occasion, made with heart, imagination, and a sprinkle of sweetness.
With over 20 years in the restaurant industry and experience owning several sushi and fusion restaurants—including Yokoso, Screaming Tuna, Slice & Dice, and Hissho Sushi—Quyen brings a wealth of knowledge to her classes. She specializes in Sushi, Thai, Vietnamese, and Chinese cuisines, making her an incredible resource for anyone eager to explore authentic Asian cooking.
Quyen offers private catering, personalized cooking lessons, and made-to-order dishes. Her classes focus on practical skills like marinating, meat tenderization, wok techniques, and the fundamentals of Asian cuisine. She’s known for breaking down complex flavors and methods into easy, approachable steps, so you can recreate dishes at home with confidence.
From learning how to shop at Asian markets to mastering quick, flavorful meals in minutes, Quyen’s teaching style is both inspiring and accessible—perfect for anyone who wants to bring the taste of Asia into their own kitchen.
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Crystal Perez is the owner and creative force behind Edible Art Studios Cookie Co. With over a decade of cookie-making experience, Crystal is passionate about baking more than just cookies—though cookies will always be her bread and butter.
She specializes in creating edible art that’s as beautiful as it is delicious, and she loves sharing that passion by teaching new cookiers how to turn their ideas into unforgettable creations. Crystal is honored to be a guest chef at Chef Pam’s Kitchen, where she continues to inspire others through hands-on learning and creativity.
One of the proudest moments of her career came in 2024, when she competed on Food Network’s Christmas Cookie Challenge alongside incredibly talented bakers from across the country.
At the heart of everything she does, Crystal believes baking should be joyful, creative, and always Delicious by Design.
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With over a decade of experience as a pastry chef in New York City, Catrine Roen has worked across bakeries, fine-dining kitchens, and as a chef instructor at The French Culinary Institute in SoHo. She honed her chocolate expertise in France and brings a deep, well-rounded knowledge of pastries, confections, and bread baking to every class she teaches.
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At Chef Pam’s Kitchen, Bri helps create memorable experiences that bring people together through food. From private events and team-building activities to birthday parties and cooking classes, she ensures every detail is thoughtful, welcoming, and fun.
Bri’s passion for hospitality began at UW–Stout, where she earned her degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. Today, she combines her background in event planning and marketing with her love of food and people to craft experiences that celebrate both cuisine and community.
As part of her family’s business, Bri is proud to help Chef Pam’s Kitchen grow while sharing the joy of cooking with others.
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Brian leads the business side of Chef Pam’s Kitchen. He is a former Fortune 150 executive, keynote speaker, and author. His latest book ‘If the Customer’s the Co-pilot, you’re in the Wrong Seat’ was recognized as one of the top 30 CX books in the world.
He is widely recognized as a customer service innovator and trend forecaster and has woven his passion of delivering a best-in-class customer experience into the DNA of Chef Pam’s Kitchen. His business acumen has been instrumental in creating numerous revenue streams within the space that now operate around the clock. Brian was inducted into the Customer Service Hall of Fame in 2023.
Chef Pam’s Kitchen prides itself on having a fun environment where all are welcome – whether a novice cook or a seasoned home chef, it’s a place where new or existing friends, family or co-workers can bond, and create an awesome meal while having a great time.
