Chef Susan Kaiser Yurish
Academic Department Chair
"I love watching the students evolve. It is such a thrill for me to see how far they have come when I teach them at the beginning of the program — and then see how far they have grown as culinarians, as well as the evident maturation process."
About
General Education Department Chair at Escoffier, Chef Susan has over 20 years of industry experience and has served as an educator, a consultant, a Director of Catering, and a business owner.
She founded Hanna’s Specialty Foods, a boutique, upscale catering company with a brick-and-mortar location in Lafayette, Colorado, and ran it as owner and chef for 10 years. The business was rated in the top 10 in Boulder County in the number of events served, and was the official catering company for Colorado Governor Jared Polis’s events when he was a political activist.
Chef Susan is passionate about encouraging students to achieve academic excellence and make the most of their education. She strongly believes in the value of earning a culinary degree.
Honors & Awards
- Master Teacher Award - Front Range Community College, 2015
- Award Winner (Hanna's Specialty Foods) - Best of the West
- Yellow Scene Magazine, 2009 & 2011
Certifications & Affiliations
- StateFoodSafety Food Safety Manager
- StateFoodSafety Proctor
Professional EXPERIENCE
- Program Director, Hospitality and Culinary Arts - Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus, CO
- Chef Instructor - Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus, CO
- Chef/Owner - Hanna's Specialty Foods, Lafayette, CO
- Director of Catering - Westin, Hilton, Radisson, and Ramada Hotels
- Director of Catering - Park Avenue Club
- Hotel Industry Training and Development Consultant
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication, University of Colorado Boulder
- Culinary School of the Rockies, Boulder, CO
In The News
The Takeout 7/9/2025
Special Interests
I am an avid reader. In addition to that, I have a love of architecture and design. I get excited when it comes time to design a remodel or redecoration in some area of my house. I love creating environments for myself and others to enjoy — this probably speaks to why I have spent so much of my career in the catering part of the industry.
