Andrew Burman began his culinary career while working at L'Academie de Cuisine outside Washington D.C. He worked for several prominent catering companies in the DC area, including Susan Gage and 42 Degrees. As Product Innovator for Albert Uster Imports, Andrew was responsible for researching and developing new food products.

Today, Andrew is pursuing his master's degree in Food Studies at NYU. Andrew has studied food in Florence, Italy, Europe and North Africa. In New York, Andrew works as a personal chef, and for caterers Oliver Cheng and Sage. He has taught cooking classes since 2004, and has been an instructor for The Wooden Spoon Since January 2008.

Chef Juan Pablo Chavez creates freshly prepared, healthy and delicious tasting gourmet meals in the kitchens of a cross-section of New York City individuals and families.

He developed his passion for food while helping his grandmother in the kitchen of their Mexico City home. Formerly an economist, he graduated with a Masters from the London School of Economics, and after years as an economist, living in both New York and London, he followed his dream and enrolled in the Institute of Culinary Education. He trained at acclaimed four-star New York restaurants Per Se and Le Bernardin, then joined Whole Foods Markets as a chef. He continues to develop recipes for the company, in addition to consulting with the SoHo restaurant Papatzul on their desserts. He founded Healthy Meals JPC, LLC to further his great passion for food, wine and entertaining for sophisticated clients.

Chef Juan Pablo Chavez is trained in classical French and Modern American cooking, and developed The Wooden Spoon's Mexican curriculum. He is available to teach classes in Spanish as well. An avid global traveler, he has made his home in New York City since 1997. He has been teaching for The Wooden Spoon since 2006.

Debra works as a private chef and nutritional and kitchen design consultant for families. She received an art degree from The Cooper Union For The Advancement Of Science and Art. She graduated from The Institute for Culinary Education (then Peter Kump's) in 1998.

She began her food career as a food stylist, and became a food art director for NBC. For the last decade, Debra has worked primarily as a private chef for notable athletes, entertainers, and celebrities including Tommy Hilfinger, Donna Karan, Frederic Fekkai, The Knicks, and the Rolling Stones.

Today, Debra continues to work as a private chef, kitchen consultant and stylist, and enjoys teaching. She has been teaching classes for The Wooden Spoon since 2007.

As the founder of The Wooden Spoon, Allison wanted to create a company where cooking teachers step off the television screen and out of the restaurant kitchens, then come into *your* home, put the knife in *your* hand, and show you how to cook.

As a co-host of TLC's Home Made Simple, Allison travels the U.S. to help families create simple, tasty meals. A passionate home cook, she honed her skills while working for Martha Stewart and Food Network as a recipe developer and food stylist. Allison was part of the original Everyday Food team, and was a member of the television show cast.

Allison writes a weekly food column for www.thestreet.com. She served as Senior Food Editor for Atkins Nutritionals, where she oversaw the development of a series of cookbooks. Her original recipes and writings have appeared in Cooking Light and many other national magazines and newspapers. Prior to her involvement in home cooking, Allison worked in the front of the house and the kitchens of establishments ranging from college pubs to four-star Manhattan restaurants.

Allison received her undergraduate degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Cornell University and a culinary degree from the Institute for Culinary Education. She is a Food Studies Masters Candidate at New York University. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.