Brian West

Chef West is a 23 year veteran in the restaurant business, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas as worked every aspect of the industry from front of the house to the kitchen. After attending The Art Institute of Houston and Graduating the top of his class 1999, He relocated back home to San Antonio and worked his way up to Sous Chef at the Westin La Canterra after four years Brian wanted to expand his knowledge and join Bruce Audin at Biga on the Banks located on the riverwalk as Banquet Chef. After a two year Brian. In 2006 Brian had the opportunity to fulfill his lifelong dream of opening open his own restaurant Café Paladar high-end American Latin cuisine. This is when Brian was at home with his menus and holding cooking classes and wine pairing dinner at Café Paladar. Brian during this time has received accolades such as top 500 restaurants in America by New York Times 2008 & Top 100 Chefs in Texas by Texas Monthly 2008. After three year with the collapse economy Brian had to closed the doors to his restaurant and spring of 2009. He took a 3 month sabbatical in Spain When he returned to his beloved Texas he was asked to joined the Culinary Team as the Executive Chef for Hotel Contessa for 3 year and where he was honored to be asked to cook at the James Beard House in 2010. When the opportunity opened he jumped at the chance to be newest face on the Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio campus Chef Brian West as a Chef Instructor West’s academic activities full host of culinary fundamentals, for young aspiring culinarins.