As seen on:
Chef Durkin’s colorful background of culinary achievements and media opportunities has provided him with excellent communication skills and a well rounded education. This has been necessary to mentor individuals, host clients, and preform public speaking engagements with transparent explanations of technical information in a passionate and calm nature. Chef Durkin loves to talk food and share information to anyone at anytime if you want to know. Check out his story below…
About Chad…
Chef Chad Durkin has been learning from his youth to grow into this profession.
Chef Durkin has participated in countless competitions, on the national and international stages, performed many educational demonstrations, taught at premier culinary colleges, consulted a-many-a restaurant and bakery menus, holds a masters in food science processing and business, developed go-to-market food concepts, makes breathtaking celebration cakes, finds time to garden, competitive sail and rocking out on many of his instruments in his collection.
It is no surprise to anyone who meets Chef Durkin to feel his entrepreneurship for the industry and determination for excellence. Durkin, not only has a textbook knowledge of food, he also makes it fun to learn, with the ability to come up with beautifully balanced and tasty solutions on the spot.
Durkin recently opened his own first solo concepts in Philadelphia, PA . A dual-concept walk up fast casual restaurant and bakery serving some of the city’s best sweets and coffee, as well as a speciality sandwich shop serving Porchetta (Italian roast pork). Durkin’s spots have been written up in countless publications and recently won “Best of” 2020. Durkin is looking to expand his concepts nationally…stay tuned.
Core Accomplishments:
International and National Competitions - 7 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
ACF USA Junior Culinary Olympic Team Pastry Chef
ACF Certified Executive Pastry Chef (CEPC)
Masters in Food Process Technician and Engineering (CFT)
Studied in Colombes, France, and Favoriten, Austria
ServSafe Certified Proctor and Instructor
ASA 101 - 103 Certified Sailing Courses
US Sailing Off-Shore Racing Certification
International Off-Shore Novice Sail Racer
Press Mentions:
Buddy vs Duff Season 3 and Bakers Battle - Team Member, Food Network
Cakehouse You Tube Channel- Multiple Videos
Appearances on Local and Nation news outlets: FOX, ABC, CBS3, the WB, NBC
Bake You Rich-Ep. 3 – Judge, All Ep. – Culinary Producer-Food Network
Buddy vs. Duff- Culinary Producer, All Ep.– Food Network
Bake it Like Buddy, Pastry Judge Ep. 8,9,10, and 13-Discovery
Cake Boss, season 6, 7, and 8 - Discovery Network
TLC's Next Great Baker, Season 3
Food Networks Sweet Genius, "hidden genius"
Food Network Challenge, "Sugar Impossible," "Flying Sugar," "Sugar Destinations", " Extreme Old West Chocolate”
Ideal Chef.com Video Series, "Fondant application"," coloring flowers and
marzipan"," basic marzipan roses"Modern Baking, "Trends in Baking, Ethnic flavors enter the mainstream"
Cooking with America's Team Cookbook, 2 recipe highlights
Greek Cuisine Cookbook, modern and traditional-2 recipe highlights
Sizzle Magazine, "Event Series, Chef spotlight"
Modern Baking, "Desserts International thrives under new leadership"
Continental Magazine, "Go Explore: Water, Water Everywhere"
Philadelphia STYLE, "Get it While It's Hot," Crème Brulee Trio
Philadelphia Magazine, "Eat Your Vegetables," Caramelized Banana and
Date CakeUS Food Trends, "All Rice Considered," Candied Orange Rice Pudding
Philadelphia Magazine, Octopus Grilling Technique
Philadelphia City Paper, "Top Five Edible Flowers in Food"