Chef Matt Kuerbis
Chef Instructor, Plant Based Culinary Arts, Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management
"Success in the food industry takes creativity, adaptability, and business savvy. I teach to inspire confidence in both craft and entrepreneurship—helping students turn their passion into a sustainable career."
About
My dynamic career spans more than 25 years cooking and teaching in a host of exotic places (Alaska, Mexico, and Costa Rica, to name a few). I honed my cooking skills in restaurants, and after earning my master’s degree in education, prepared and inspired aspiring chefs at Le Cordon Bleu’s campus in Portland, OR. I launched my own brand of craft hot sauce in 2016 and possess an insider’s view of food business development. I love to teach and motivate people aiming for a career in the culinary industry.
Honors & Awards
- Scovie Awards - for hot sauce
- International Flavor Awards - for hot sauce
- Screaming Mimi - for hot sauce
Certifications & Affiliations
- StateFoodSafety - Certified Food Handler
- Industry Advisory Committee for CTEC - Culinary High School Education
Professional EXPERIENCE
- Owner - HYCH Hot Sauce Company, Salem, OR
- Private Chef & Culinary Instructor - Salem/Portland, OR
- Seasonal Head Chef - Wolf Run Ranch, Dufur, OR
- Seasonal Head Chef - Finca Mia Retreat Center, Costa Rica
- Culinary Instructor - McNary High School, Keizer OR
- Director of Education/Executive Chef - Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Portland OR
- Culinary Instructor - Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Portland, OR
- Restaurant Manager - Riverhouse Restaurant, Milwaukee, WI
- Sous Chef - Palettes at the Denver Art Museum, Denver, OR
- Sous Chef - Lindblad Expedition Cruises, Seattle, WA
- Line Cook - ObaChine by Wolfgang Puck, Seattle, WA
- Line Cook - Mi Casa Mexican Restaurant, Breckenridge, CO
- Line Cook - Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, Boulder, CO
Dish Examples
HYCH Pineapple Habanero burger
This is my HYCH Pineapple Habanero burger. I chose this photo because it brings together my love of a great burger and my hot sauce company HYCH.
Education
- Master of Education, Portland State University
- Bachelor of Arts-Environmental Conservation, University of Colorado
