Chef Desmond Fannin's Page

Relationship Status:

Married

About Me:

Chef Desmond Fannin is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up with a passion for Visual Arts – winning numerous awards throughout grade school. In 2000, he transformed his artistic drive from the canvas to the kitchen by enrolling in Culinary Arts School. In 2001, he attained an Associate of Arts Degree in Culinary Arts from The Art Institute of Atlanta and has been recognized by the American Culinary Federation as a Certified Culinarian. After graduating from the Culinary Business Academy, he earned the title of Personal Chef. Chef Fannin is currently employed with Sodexo as District Executive Chef of Atlanta Public Schools; after a rewarding stint at the Federal Reserve Bank, where he served as Executive Chef of all operations including the Executive Dining Room. He began his professional culinary career at the Weather Channel Headquarters in Marietta, Georgia. With Sodexo, he served as Executive Chef of both United Way’s Loudermilk Conference Center and Magnolia Bistro in Atlanta. He was also Executive Chef of Hewlett-Packard Business Center Perimeter and trained briefly at the World Trade Center Atlanta. Chef Desmond served as District Culinary Coordinator for the Atlanta Area, assisting with unit openings, conduct trainings, host VIP events, co-lead the Chef Association, and participate in sales presentations—one of which included NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Chef Desmond’s greatest culinary moment came when he was selected by French-based Sodexo as one of only two American Chefs to represent the US in Paris, France to assist with foodservice for the 2007 Rugby World Cup. His 12 day journey included tours to most of Paris’ landmarks, attending a rugby game, breakfast and Q&A session with Sodexo’s CEO and 4 romantic days with his wife. Community involvement is also key to Chef Fannin. He has participated in Real Men Cook for Charity, Habitat for Humanity, the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Hunger Walk and Can Can Ball, as well as Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless. Chef Desmond has also been involved with Leadership Cares Foundation, Inc., under the leadership of founder Ron Yudd. This experience landed him on an expert panel for high school culinary students at the National Restaurant Association Food Show in Chicago. In 2008, Nielson Media elected to sponsor him as their Featured Chef at Real Men Cook Atlanta, as they were a major sponsor of the event. This led to a live appearance and cooking demo on Atlanta’s Better Mornings Program on WGCL Channel 46. Chef Fannin was a member of the team providing food services for the funeral of Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Among those served were Former Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. He provided private food service for Hip Hop Pioneer and Fashion Mogul Russell Simmons at the 2006 Hip Hop Summit in Atlanta, Ga. Chef Desmond helped provide foodservice for the DNA Reveal Reception during the 2007 National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. In 2008, he was selected to team up with the Hyatt Hotel fro a presentation benefiting under served African American high school students during the NAACP’s ACT-SO Program’s 30th Anniversary Celebration and Competition held a Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Chef Desmond was awarded his own episode on the Charlotte and Web-based TV show, “The Chef’s Wife”, in its upcoming first season. He had the distinct honor of providing services for Bishop Eddie L. Long and Family of New Birth, who was very instrumental in his personal growth and culinary education. A great deal of his culinary successes can be credited to mentors Chef Donald Wilson (Landon’s Atlanta) and the widely recognized and respected Chef Darryl Evans. His professional memberships include the ACF, The African American Leadership Forum (Atlanta Vice Chairman), Sodexo’s Star Squad, and the United States Personal Chef Association. Chef Desmond is anchored by his lovely wife, Lauren and their daughter, Morgan and son, Jaylen. They reside east of Atlanta, Georgia.

Website:

http://www.chefs-wife.com

What is your favorite recipe creation?

Parmesan Crusted Halibut/Georgia Pecan Scallops

When did you enter the Culinary Profession?

When I was 15; 1995

Who is your favorite Musical Artist?

Jay-Z/Outkast/John Legend/Luther/Erykah Badu/Ledisi/Al Green/India Arie/Fred Hammond/

What is your favorite TV show?

24/Hell's Kitchen/Martin/The Cosby Show/Top Chef/Wheel of Fortune

Last Book Read:

Cooked

If you could have dinner with any three people who would it be and why?

President Obama, Oprah, and Bill Cosby.

What is your favorite Culinary Web site?

http://www.acfchefs.org