Mckinzie Bridges

Chef-Instructor McKinzie Bridges brings nearly two decades of multifaceted culinary leadership to her role at our Los Angeles campus. A 2005 graduate of the California Culinary Academy Le Cordon Bleu, Bridges has built a dynamic career across a wide range of kitchens, giving her a breadth of experience that deeply informs her teaching. Her extensive industry background spans fine-dining restaurants, bustling catering operations, private clubs, schools, and large-scale events. She served as executive chef at Arista Catering, Celebrations Banquets and Catering, and the Ithaca Yacht Club, including Joe's Restaurant at Ithaca Yacht Club. 

Most prominently, she spent eight years leading the kitchen as executive chef at Max’s Bistro & Bar, a beloved Fresno, California, institution celebrated for its seasonal creativity and heartfelt hospitality. Expanding her leadership into catering operations, she later served as culinary director for In Good Company and for Xuntos/Gasolina Café, where she guided catering programs rooted in vibrant, market-driven cuisine and Spanish culinary traditions. She also worked as a sous chef at FC McRory’s earlier in her career.Beyond traditional restaurant work, Bridges has collaborated with elite catering companies such as Wolfgang Puck Catering, Along Came Mary, and Mindy Weiss, and has worked as a private chef for prominent clients. She even served as a personal culinary coach for a high-profile celebrity competitor who went on to win both “Chopped” and “The Great British Baking Show.” Her culinary reach extends into media as well. 

She has contributed to CNET video features and has been featured as a culinary expert in articles for Martha Stewart, Southern Living, Well+Good, HuffPost, Mashed, Real Simple, and Salon.As an educator, Bridges finds the greatest reward in drawing on years of experience to distill foundational techniques that allow the next generation of chefs to work their creativity into the up-and-coming food scenes. Her classrooms blend technique, mentorship, and the spirit of curiosity that has guided her own career.