Meet the Chefs

Gill Boyd, a Certified Executive Chef and Culinary Educator, brings forty years of experience in food and hospitality. He studied at Johnson & Wales University and Le Cordon Bleu Paris, spent nearly a decade teaching at Le Cordon Bleu in Los Angeles, served as Head Chef at The Farmers Kitchen in Hollywood, and worked as Assistant Resident Chef at Sur La Table in both Los Angeles and New York City. Currently, Chef Gill teaches at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. Follow him on Instagram @gillchef.

Brian Bennett is a seasoned culinary professional with extensive experience in the food and beverages industry, including catering, hospitality, culinary management, and roles as a private chef and consultant. He has taught at Hudson Table in Hoboken and Eat Clean Bro, LLC, and is a graduate of the Texas Culinary Academy with a degree in Culinary Arts. Chef Brian specializes in Southern cooking, Texan ranch cuisine, New Orleans-inspired dishes, and classic French techniques, bringing depth and versatility to his craft. Follow him on Instagram @chefbrianbennett.

Lena Barnett began her baking career in high school at a local Maplewood bakery. While studying at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island, she traveled to France and Italy to refine her pastry skills. She earned an Associate’s degree in Baking & Pastry Arts, a Bachelor’s in Food Service Management with a concentration in Contemporary Pastry Arts, and an MBA with a focus on Hospitality. Chef Lena now runs her own cottage business, Lena’s In the Mix Bakery, putting her own unique spin on classic recipes. Follow her on Instagram @inthemixbakery.

Karen Nicholas began her baking career at a local Maplewood bakery, where she trained new staff and led teams during the busy holiday season. A self-taught baker with a talent for perfect pie crusts and much more, Chef Karen also runs her own cottage bakery business. In addition to her work as an instructor at Kitchen Table, you can follow her on Instagram @mapsosweet.

Andrew Laracuente brings over 13 years of culinary expertise, including becoming an Executive Chef at just 24 years old. He has worked in some of New York City’s most dynamic kitchens and is the founder of Heartfelt Hospitality, offering private chef services, bespoke catering, and cooking classes. Chef Andrew specializes in blending bold flavors, thoughtful presentation, and personalized service to create memorable dining experiences. His work reflects a commitment to the art of hospitality and the belief that every dish tells a story worth sharing. Follow him on Instagram @heartfelthospitalityinc.

Lori Bright brings her genuine passion for cooking to every class she teaches. As the Lead Instructor for Classes and Camps at Kitchen Table, she combines her love of cooking with her devotion to children, drawing on 15 years of experience as a preschool teacher and a culinary instructor at a sleepaway camp. Before pursuing her culinary path, Chef Lori had a successful career in private banking at Citibank. She holds a degree from Binghamton University, an MBA in Finance from Adelphi University, and is a graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York City.

Sierra Taylor is a mom, wife, and University of Michigan graduate with a degree in Biopsychology—but she’s also a cake artist with over 16 years of experience creating sculpted fondant cakes, cookies, and cupcakes that have wowed audiences and clients alike. Her talents have earned her features with Netflix, The Food Network, and Cake Central Magazine. At Kitchen Table, she brings her creativity to life, working on nearly all of the kids birthday parties. Beyond the kitchen, Sierra is a certified yoga instructor, sound bath practitioner, and Reiki healer, passionate about helping people find their zen and using her artistry to inspire and heal. Follow her on Instagram @sierramercedestaylor.

Assistant Chef Caron Wollard brings a unique mix of experience and passion to Kitchen Table. With years of culinary classes and workshops under her belt, plus a background as a pre-school teacher, she’s a natural at engaging kids and adults alike in the joy of cooking. Her time running a successful music and entertainment business sharpened her skills in hospitality and client service, making every class feel effortless and fun. Whether leading older kids on Thursdays or hosting adult events, Caron loves inspiring others to have fun and find confidence in the kitchen.

Kitchen Assistant Julie Esgun’s life has always been filled with creativity, with the process flowing from one medium to the next. After studying fashion design at FIT in New York City, she launched a locally sold artisan jewelry line. Her passion extends to the kitchen, where she loves cooking from scratch—her favorite way to keep meals healthy and wholesome. Rooted in family traditions like Friday night spaghetti Bolognese with her grandparents and baking oatmeal cookies with Grammy, her love for food is a natural extension of her creative spirit. A Maplewood resident for over 20 years, Julie and her husband have raised two fine young men. See more of her work on Instagram @julie_esgun_designs.

As Senior Coordinator for Adult Classes and Events, Dawn Yoselowitz brings a gift for creating memorable experiences to Kitchen Table. A former fashion editor at Seventeen magazine, she traded her press pass to raise her two children, Lucy and Emmett, and share her passion for yoga with preschoolers. Dedicated to teaching kids how to regulate their emotions and rock a killer tree pose, Dawn has taught hundreds of local 2-to-5-year-olds and designed the mindfulness rooms at Tuscan Elementary, Maplewood Middle, and Columbia High School. Following in her mother’s footsteps as an event planner, Dawn makes every Kitchen Table gathering feel warm and welcoming. Married to a New Englander, she’s on a mission to visit every lobster shack along the coast of Maine—because everything is better with melted butter!

Terrie Brodie is the Lead Coordinator for Kids Birthday Parties. A preschool teacher in Maplewood for 17 years, Terrie has always loved cooking with her students, making it one of the highlights of her classroom. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, hosting gatherings with friends, and exploring new restaurants. Passionate about creating meaningful experiences, Terrie is dedicated to inspiring the next generation both in the classroom and the kitchen.

Tina Mitra is the Coordinator for Kids Events, including birthday parties. She shares Kitchen Table’s mission to inspire even the youngest learners to discover joy in cooking. A passionate home cook, Tina attended the Petite Chefs class with her son for over a year, watching students grow their skills along the way. When she’s not thinking about food, she’s volunteering at her kids’ schools. A proud Maplewood resident since 2016, Tina previously worked in recruiting and human resources for a high-frequency trading firm. She holds a degree in molecular biology and neuroscience from Princeton University.

Tsipi Kaplan, a guest chef at Kitchen Table, is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education with 17 years of experience as a chef instructor. In addition to running a successful local catering business, she is also a certified Functional Nutrition health coach. Chef Tsipi firmly believes in the connection between food and mood, emphasizing that food should not only taste great but also look beautiful and make you happy. Her culinary philosophy focuses on using wholesome, healthy ingredients, with a particular love for fresh herbs and spices to enhance flavor. In popular classes like New Year, Healthier You and Mediterranean Cooking, she shares her knowledge by creating simple, nourishing dishes that delight the senses and promote overall well-being. Learn more at tsipikaplanwellness.com.