WHO IS CHEF
SHANNON?

Hey there! I’m Shannon Cook: chef, educator, and founder of Cook’s Culinary Collective and I’ve been stirring up delicious things for over 30 years.

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My love for food started young, standing on a stool next to my grandmother learning that cooking was about so much more than just feeding people; it was about love, laughter, connection, and culture. That early spark turned into a full-blown flame and I’ve been chasing the magic of the kitchen ever since.

I got my start like many of us do, elbow-deep in dishwater, peeling potatoes, scrubbing
pans, and soaking up every second of kitchen life. At 18 I enrolled at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco during the electric energy of the late ’80s. One chef instructor told me something I’ll never forget: every role in the kitchen matters. From the dish pit to the head of the line — it’s all part of one beautiful, chaotic, creative dance. I was hooked. Since then I’ve cooked and taught my way around the world from Seattle to Shanghai, Milan to Tokyo, and more. I’ve led restaurants, run cafes, catered events, trained global culinary teams, and taught just about every topic in the culinary school playbook from pastry to global cuisine and wine to kitchen fundamentals.

For over 20 years I’ve taught in professional culinary schools helping new cooks build
confidence, technique, and their own culinary voice. Teaching has been one of the greatest joys of my life — watching students light up when they get it, when something clicks, when the kitchen becomes a place of possibility.

And now? I’m pouring all of that passion into Cook’s Culinary Collective, a space for
hands-on experiences, curated supper clubs, inspired workshops, and joyful learning. Whether you're new to the kitchen or a seasoned home cook, my mission is to help you
explore, grow, and connect through food with curiosity, creativity, and a whole lot of fun.

Let’s cook something amazing together.