Chef John Szymanski
John is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Johnson & Wales University, Miami. While attending Johnson & Wales University, John enjoyed catering in the Miami area. After graduating from Johnson & Wales University, John moved to Atlanta to work at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel for the '96 Olymipics. He then took a position at the Kroger Co. managing the Kroger School of Cooking. He went in recipe development for the Kroger Co. and continues to teach at the Kroger School of Cooking. He is featured on WSB-TV Channel 2 on Fridays and Saturdays.
John is a Certified Executive Chef with the American Culinary Federation. He has been on the Board of Directors for the American Culinary Federation for the last 5 years. He is the recipient of the 2002 Humanutarian of the year award through the American Culinary Fedaration.
Chef John is the President of the Georgia Environmental Health Association Foundation. He is also a certified Food Safety Professional registered with the National Environmental Health Association, and trains on Food Safety for the Kroger Atlanta Marketing Area.
Suzanne Magni RD, LD Food & Nutrition Professional
Suzanne is Kroger's Atlanta Division Registered Dietitian and a chef instructor at the Kroger School of Cooking. Her expertise includes healthy cooking, grocery store tours, public speaking, wellness/disease prevention counseling and self-management nutrition education for people living with diabetes and celiac disease. Suzanne has appeared on CNN's Accent Health Network, Good Day Atlanta and Gwinnett County Public Broadcast TV. She contributes regularly to the Kroger/Dunnhumby National Mailer.
Previously Suzanne worked in a Research and Development Test Kitchen for a major restaurant corporation, writing menus and creating recipes/menu items. As a nutrition educator for the Florida Department of Health, Suzanne counseled individuals and families in the Child & Maternal Nutrition and Elderly Nutrition Programs. Suzanne earned her BS in Food and Nutrition at Florida State University and did her Dietetic Internship at Emory University Hospitals in Atlanta, Georgia.
Stephanie Smithmyer
Stephanie is apersonal Chef, Caterer and Food Stylist. She has owned her own company, Steph de Cuisine, since 2000. She is currently one of the behind-the-scences chefs on TBS "Dinner and a Movie" and also worked on Turner South's Home Plate with Marvin Woods while it was in production. Her passion for cooking has earned her recognition as a gourmet cook, hostess and party planner. She's had over 30 years of experience planning, cooking and hosting a variety of events. Stephanie is also a member of the United States Personal Chef Association.
Carmisha McKenzie
Carmisha, a native of Atlanta, began creating "mystery meals" for her brothers in her mom's kitchen at an early age. After Graduating with a Business Degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Georgia, she decided to persue her passion by attending Johnson & Wales University to earn a degree in Culinary Arts.
Upon graduation, she returned to Atlanta to complete an externship with Marriott. She worked at several restaurants and catering companies. She found teaching culinary techniques in her spare time enjoyable and relaxing. She has spent the last several years as a Chef Manager for Sodexho USA's Healthcare division. Chef Carmisha looks forward to brining new refreshing ideas to the Kroger School of Cooking, teaching classes, and working with kids, assistants and Chef Instructors again!