Certified Executive Chef
Certified Culinary Educator
Foodservice Management Professional
John Kapusta brings to his students a broad range of teaching and industry experience. Prior to joining IUP in 2003, he taught culinary, pastry arts, and hotel/restaurant management classes for Le Cordon Bleu at the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh.
His industry resume includes experience with Marriott where, as chef, he was responsible for increasing food sales, bringing his hotel restaurant's rank up to one of the top five properties in his region.
His industry experience also includes positions with the Top of the Triangle Restaurant in Pittsburgh as well as other country clubs and fine dining restaurants.
Culinary competition is also an interest, and Chef Kapusta has won gold and silver medals in both local and national competitions.
Chef Kapusta has a master's degree in Adult and Community Education from IUP and a BS degree in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh. He also earned an AST in Culinary Arts from the Pennsylvania Culinary Institute, where he was valedictorian (ranked first in class) and was a recipient of the Master's Achievement Award.
Most recently, Chef Kapusta has been continuing his graduate studies at IUP.