About Chef Tech
Our Team
Teri Appleton Villanueva
owner/CHef
Owner, Teri Appleton Villanueva is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. She also studied Spanish at UCLA, in Guadalajara, Mexico, and Cali, Colombia. She is an award-winning pastry chef, head chef, and recipe formulator. She studied authentic Mexican cooking in Veracruz and Oaxaca with culinary superstar Rick Bayless. Teri has been working in professional kitchens and teaching people to cook for the last 25 years.
Jorge Villanueva
owner/Chef
Owner, Jorge Villanueva is a graduate of the School of Kitchen Experience. Cooking for 30 years in professional kitchens, he worked at Pioneer Boulangerie, Josephina’s, Ocean Avenue Seafood, Gladstone’s, Malibu Sea Lion and was Corporate Chef at Wolfgang Puck’s. He is a fish and seafood expert, a master pizza maker, has unparalleled knife skills, and is an excellent Chef Instructor as well.
Our Mission
Our mission is to teach people how to cook – to show them how to select quality ingredients, use the proper equipment and master the best techniques. We want to help people create wonderful food to advance in their careers, or to simply share with their friends and family. We offer Culinary Knowledge and Kitchen Experience with a side of Palate Pleasure!
Contact Us
Internships
Cooking School Internship Opportunity
(for Teens and Adults)
Chef Tech Cooking School in Long Beach is accepting teen (ages 14 and up) and adult applicants for internships at our school. Candidates must have a passion for cooking and an interest in gaining experience that will help them achieve the goal of becoming a culinary professional. We consider this a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and skills under the guidance and mentoring of the chef owners and our staff. This is an unpaid internship, but candidates will benefit from having experience to add to their resume, as well as possibly earn credit towards future classes and training at our school.
• Internships may lead to future employment.
• Interns (that have children) and assist in Kids Camps and Monthly Series
may qualify for their child to attend class while working.
*A meal is provided with each shift.
Please use the form below to contact us regarding your internship interest.
Job duties include:
Organizing the mise en place and prep for recipes day of the class
Putting out aprons, towels, and trash cans, before class
Greeting students, assisting with name tags, aprons, and hand washing instructions
Assist and aiding with knife handling, measurements, and following recipes
Help clean as we go, assist in getting dirty dishes to dish station, wipe down work surfaces
Help with plating up and portion control
Assist in washing and putting away clean dishes, prepare the kitchen for the next day
FAQs/Policies
What should I wear to a cooking class?
Please wear closed-toe shoes, NO sandals or flip flops please! We are working with sharp utensils and hot liquids so want everyone to stay safe. Wear clothing you are comfortable cooking in. We will supply aprons, side towels, recipes, and everything else.
If I can't make it to a class I am taking in a series, can I make it up later?
You must contact us prior to missing a class in order for us to allow you to make up a class. If you miss a class and did not contact us prior to the time of the class there will be no make-up class offered. All make-up classes must be taken within 6 months of the end of your series.
What should I do if I need to cancel my registration?
Cancellation/COVID Policy
We understand that you may not be able to attend class because of illness/emergency. Our cancellation policy is as follows:
Cancellations more than 15 business days out: Class credit or refund
Cancellations 7-14 business days out: Class credit
Cancellations 7 business days or less: In the event that you are unable to make a class with less than one week’s notice, we will be happy to accept a name transfer if you would like to fill your spot with a friend or family member.
Students that act irresponsibly will be dismissed from the class without a refund.
Chef Tech reserves the right to cancel or modify a class for any reason, including but not limited to insufficient enrollment or instructor illness. Students will be contacted via email and either a full refund or a credit towards another class will be issued.
Birthday Parties & Private Parties
Booking early is encouraged as dates fill up quickly. To book a party or special event a 50% deposit is required at booking. We require a guaranteed/confirmed head count at seven days before your event in order to shop and staff.
Party Cancellations more than 15 days business days out: Class credit or deposit refund
Party Cancellations 7-14 business days out: Class/deposit credit
Party Cancellations 7 business days days or less: No deposit refund
Do your gift certificates expire?
Gift Certificates here at Chef Tech never expire. There is also no inactivity fee charged. Gift Certificates are transferable but non-refundable.
I received a giftcard, but I can't attend. What should I do?
You may transfer your gift certificate to another person if you are unable to attend.
Can I get a refund for a gift certificate I won't use?
Gift Certificates are transferable but non-refundable.
Mask Policy
Masks are optional at this time.