APCA News May 2001 Resource Article

May Contributors

Christina Phipps - Florida

Christina has a varied background including a Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Certified Personal Trainer and Aerobics Instructor, and has taken a number of nutrition classes. Her Mother's culinary store and herb farm exposed her love of cooking early, and she went on to work for Florida's Department of Agriculture testing and developing recipes for contests, brochures and associations.

Christina has also done food styling, trade shows, established cooking classes, and won a potato salad contest in the Florida's potato capital of Hastings.

Christina is on her way to becoming a full-time personal chef after joining the APCA in February.

Dane Mechlin - California

Chef Dane has 20 years experience in many facets of the culinary arts. He has a Culinary Chef Degree from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Cleveland State University.

Some of Dane's experience includes:

     • Chef and Operations Manager for the private luxury vacation yacht,
        Alaska Sea Adventure (A great vacation idea).

     •   Executive Chef and Catering Manager for the Horton Plaza Farmer's
        Market, San Diego's Premier Gourmet Market.

     • Executive Chef for the exclusive Melia San Lucas Resort Hotel
        located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

     • General Manager of Marina Sol Resort El Aquario Restaurant & Bar
        which he not only operated, but also designed and opened.

Dane is also the president of the Norther California Chapter of the APCA.