Chef Matt Kuerbis

Chef Instructor, Plant Based Culinary Arts, Hospitality & Restaurant Operations Management

chef instrutor Matt Kuerbis
Location: Online
Favorite Dish: Spring Chinook Salmon

"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."

Chef Matt Kuerbis

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.

HYCH Pineapple Habanero burger

Education

  • Master of Education, Portland State University
  • Bachelor of Arts-Environmental Conservation, University of Colorado
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