National Culinary Competition Panel of Judges

All finalist teams have the opportunity to receive feedback and advice in a private debriefing following the competition from our expert panel of judges.

2026 Official Judges

Wes Lieberher

System Executive Chef, South Region

Endeavor Health

2024 National Healthcare Foodservice Champion 

Chef Wes Lieberher forged his skills in popular kitchens in Philadelphia in the early 2000’s, climbing the ranks until he became executive chef of French Bistro, Vintage. In 2010, he moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his career as a chef. Shortly after arriving in LA, Chef Wes opened Beer Belly, a craft beer & comfort food restaurant. As Executive Chef he and his team turned Beer Belly into one of the most popular comfort food eateries in the history of the city.

Since Beer Belly closed in 2018, Chef Wes has opened multiple restaurants & concepts in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Chicago, & Berlin, Germany as an executive chef and culinary consultant.

Chef Wes has been featured on Food Network multiple times appearing on Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives and competition shows Guys Grocery Games and Super Chef Grudge Match. He has also been featured on the Travel Channel’s Food Paradise and ABC’s The Taste with Anthony Bourdain.

Chef Wes joined forces with Top Ranked Health System, Endeavor Health, in 2021 to focus on creating a new culinary experience for patients and customers in the area. Chef Wes has found a new sense of passion for health and patient care and is determined to change the culinary boundaries of the healthcare industry.

Benjamin Robinett

System Executive Chef

INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center

2025 National Healthcare Foodservice Champion 

Chef Benjamin Robinett is a classically trained culinary professional who graduated with High Honors from Le Cordon Bleu in 2001. He began his career in Portland, Oregon, before joining the prestigious Ritz-Carlton Club in Aspen, where he had the honor of working with Iron Chef Morimoto during the Aspen Food & Wine Festival.

A passionate educator and industry leader, Chef Robinett is a certified ServSafe Instructor and Proctor and serves on the advisory board for the Francis Tuttle Culinary Arts Program.

Chef Robinett has also built a respected career as a private chef for dozens of professional athletes, musicians, actors, and public figures—earning a reputation for discretion and professionalism.

In 2022, he became the System Executive Chef for INTEGRIS Health, Oklahoma’s largest nonprofit health system with 15 locations across the state. There, he leads initiatives to create delicious, health-forward meals for patients, staff, and visitors.

His work has been widely recognized: he was named one of the Top 4 Best Chefs in 405 Magazine’s “Best Of” ballots (2021), and nominated for Best Chef by the Norman Transcript Readers’ Choice in both 2021 and 2022. He was a finalist in the 2019 AHF Culinary Competition and took home the Bronze Medal in 2023.

Chef Robinett continues to be a trusted, innovative, and respected leader in the culinary community.

2025 Official Judges

Andrea Apuzzo

Chef-Proprietor

Andrea’s

Andrea Apuzzo is a James Beard Foundation-member chef. His restaurant, Andrea’s, in Metairie, Louisiana, United States, is one of the New Orleans area’s noted restaurants.

Laureen Herzig

Vice President of Culinary & President

Transforming Age &
peace love food, LLC

With over 35 years of culinary and food innovation experience highlighted with positions as the Corporate Chef for Mrs. Smith’s Bakeries, Executive Chef for the NBA Sacramento Kings, Director of Business Imagination for The Original Cakerie, Corporate Director of Culinary for Discovery Senior Living and Vice President of Culinary for RUI, Chef Herzig is described by her peers as “a brilliant expert on the future of global food trends”. BS Hospitality Administration, Niagara University 1985.

Carole Lynne Davis

Garde Manger Sous Chef

Hyatt Regency New Orleans

Chef Lynne joined the Hyatt Regency New Orleans in October 2022 as a Cook IV. Her talent, dedication, and leadership quickly earned her a promotion to Supervisor and then to her current role as Garde Manger Sous Chef. In a short time, Chef Lynne has become a rising star in the culinary scene, representing Hyatt Regency New Orleans in several citywide and companywide competitions.

Her accomplishments include placing second in the United Way Gumbo Competition, earning a bronze medal in the Seafood Category at the prestigious New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (NOWFE), and receiving an honorable mention in the Lagniappe Category. She also placed third in an internal statewide competition held in Atlanta.

Chef Lynne is a proud New Orleans native and a graduate of Delgado Community College’s Culinary Arts Program. She holds a Culinary Technical Degree, Culinary Management Certification, Nutrition Certification, and ServSafe Certification. Deeply rooted in the city’s vibrant food culture, Chef Lynne is well-versed in Cajun, Creole, and fusion cuisines that reflect the heart and soul of New Orleans.

Before joining Hyatt, Chef Lynne honed her culinary skills at Touro Infirmary and Children’s Hospital New Orleans, where her passion for cooking and commitment to excellence led her from the patient line to the hot line, and ultimately to the position of Sous Chef.

Chef Lynne is committed to growing within the hospitality industry and is passionate about mentoring others on their culinary journeys. Her drive, creativity, and love for the culinary arts continue to inspire those around her.

Jared Hunter

Executive Chef

The University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Canter

2023 National Healthcare Foodservice Champion 

Jared joined the team at MD Anderson in 2021. Jared attended an apprenticeship program through El Centro College and the Texas Chef Association, graduating in 1997. Jared has led culinary teams for Westin Hotels, NRG Stadium, and the Houston Texans. At team MD Anderson, Jared focuses on patient care, delivering our core values one plate at a time.

Timothy Schoonmaker
MBA, CEC, WCEC, CCA, CDM, CFPP, MCFP, FMP, CHESP

Senior Manager Culinary Strategy/Corporate Executive Chef

AdventHealth

2020 People’s Choice Award Winner 

Tim has over 25 years of experience in healthcare foodservice in the areas of dining, retail management, catering, and project management. As a Certified Executive Chef, Culinary Administrator, Certified Dietary Manager, Master Certified Food Executive, Certified Healthcare Environmental Services Professional, and Foodservice Management Professional, Chef Tim has had experience in cross training and working with diverse teams, opening new hospitals and retail venues, and educating patients, caregivers, community members and other key stakeholders through various culinary demo’s, including a certification in food as medicine. Tim has a multitude of experience in leading system-wide initiatives and implementing new enterprise systems for both patient and retail areas, maximizing the use of resources available to improve outcomes for patient satisfaction, revenue, and engagement. Tim specializes in Finance, Productivity, Regulatory Standards, Food Cost/Control, Renovations, and Engagement/Experience.

Past Judges...

  • Andrea Apuzzo | Chef-Proprietor | Andrea’s
  • Laureen Herzig | Vice President of Culinary & President | Transforming Age & peace love food, LLC
  • Carole Lynne Davis | Garde Manger Sous Chef | Hyatt Regency New Orleans
  • Jared Hunter | Executive Chef | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
  • Timothy Schoonmaker MBA, CEC, WCEC, CCA, CDM, CFPP, MCFP, FMP, CHESP | Senior Manager Culinary Strategy/Corporate Executive Chef | AdventHealth
  • David Brue, CEC | Associate Director Culinary Outreach, Executive Chef | The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos | Chief Growth Officer | CHOW: Culinary Hospitality Outreach Wellness
  • Matthew Ward | Executive Chef of Resident Dining | University of North Texas
  • Brian West | Owner and Executive Chef | Chef Brian West, Inc.
  • Aatul Jain, MSML, CEC, CDM, CFPP | Executive Chef | St. Peter's Healthcare System
  • Joseph Berta | Executive Chef, Banquets | Omni Orlando at ChampionsGate
  • Rick Farmer | Executive Chef | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
  • Christopher P. Bates, MA, CTE, CCE, CEC | Program Director | Magnet Academy of Culinary Arts - Wekiva High School
  • Lenard Rubin, CEC, WCEC, CCA, AAC | Chapter President - Arizona | ACF
  • Mike Tueros | Director of Food & Beverage | Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
  • Ryan Staroszik | Executive Chef | Mirabella at ASU
Past Finalists
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