Faculty & Staff
Chef Steve Mannion,
CEC, CEPC Director
Chef Steve is a Certified Executive Chef and a Certified Executive Pastry Chef (CEC, CEPC) through the American Culinary Federation. He is the Director and co-founder of the Culinary Academy of Austin. Steve holds an Associate of Occupational Science Degree, Culinary Arts and Food and Beverage Management from Johnson & Wales University. He started Private Affairs Catering in Austin 1985 and still manages to maintain the school and the catering business.
Memberships/Awards
· President of the Local Austin Chapter for the American Culinary Federation
· International Association of Culinary Professionals
· Finalist, National Dessert Competition, 2001
· Participated in the Internazionale della Cueina Bolognese, 2003
· Chef Advisor abroad the Naval Destroyer, The USS Hopper, 2003
· Chef Advisor aboard the USS Camden 2004
Specialization and Areas of Instruction:
Consultation, Demonstrations, Business operations, Baking, Pastries, Patisserie, and Menu planning.
A short biography on Chef Mannion…
My appreciation for food came at an early age. Being the eleventh of thirteen children and growing up on a farm made for a large dining room table for memorable familial gatherings at breakfast, lunch and dinner. A big garden was a must. Everyone had to do their share when it came to taking care of the fruits and vegetables. You learned that you didn't get too attached to any of the farm animals, knowing they could become dinner on any day.
In 1975, I moved to Ames, Iowa to open a new restaurant. I wanted to become a chef. I worked with a graduate from the Culinary Institute of America and learned how little I really knew.
In 1977, I headed east to enroll at Johnson & Wales College in Providence, RI. However, before departing to J&W and working shifts at the restaurant, I discovered another art form I enjoyed - BALLET. I received an Associate's Degree Cum Laude, from J&W in 1978. Then, it was back to the Midwest where I worked as a pastry chef as well as at a couple of private clubs in Wichita, KS.
I began working in Austin as the chef at Great Hills Country Club and dancing with the ballet company. It was very intense, working 8-10 hour days and dancing 2-3 hours every evening.
In 1983, I helped open the Wyndham Hotel Southpark and quickly assumed the job of a banquet chef and pastry chef. All the while, continuing to dance.
In 1985, I began Private Affairs Catering where I catered parties and sold wholesale pastries to local hotels and restaurant chefs. This slowly turned around and the catering continued to flourish. I continued to dance until 1988 at which time the business seemed to consume all of my time. The life of a chef started taking its toll on my dancer body. As they say Never trust a skinny chef.
You can reach Chef Mannion at smannion@culinaryacademyofaustin.com
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Chef Steve Rafferty,
CEC, Student Services Advisor/Student Placement Advisor
Chef Stephen J. Rafferty is an Certified Executive Chef. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in 1986 and holds an Associate of Occupational Science Degree. He received his culinary experience from the Beverly Pavilion Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, Sofitel Ma Maison in Beverly Hills, CA, Hyatt Hotel in LA, CA, Protifino Inn, Hermosa Beach, CA,Catalina Grill in Redondo, CA, Ed Debevics in Torrence, CA, Charley Weaver’s in Albany, NY. He completed his externship at Pop’s Restaurant in Scottsdale, AZ. Chef Rafferty was a finalist in the Pork Cook-off sponsored by the Sheraton and the Pork Council in San Francisco in 1994.
You can reach Chef Rafferty at srafferty@culinaryacademyofaustin.com
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Chef Tim Kartiganer, CEC, EPC Culinary Instructor
Chef Tim Kartiganer is an Executive Pastry Chef and a Certified Executive Culinary Chef. He graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY in 1989 and holds an Associate In Occupational Science Degree. After experience with pastries for the Beverly Hills Hilton, Border Grill and the Citi Restaurants in California he moved to Austin in the early 90’s. While in Austin, Chef Tim founded Mars Restaurant and Bar which allowed his culinary creativity to cultivate. Chef Tim’s creative talents and determination in the food industry lead him to teach cooking classes at Central Market and become involved in several Hill Country Food and Wine Festival events. Chef Tim continued to inspire his culinary palate by developing an event facility, Hamilton 12 where he planned catering menus for people interested in distinctive sophistication for any special event or party.
You can reach Chef Tim at tkartiganer@culinaryacademyofaustin.com
Chef Natalie Dauterive, EC, Culinary Instructor
Chef Natalie Dauterive is an Executive Chef and a Culinary Chef Instructor. She graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park New York with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts in 2000. With over 25 years of culinary experience, she has held culinary positions from an Executive Chef for the Olive Street Bistro to a Culinary Laboratory Demonstrator at the Bossier Parish Community College. Chef Natalie has been recognized for her passion in the culinary arts and has received several awards for her accomplishments such as:
•1 Gold Medal and 3 Bronze Medals from the Culinary Classic Competition in Shreveport, LA 1997
•2 Gold Medals and the People’s Choice Award at Let Them Eat Cake in Shreveport, LA 1996
•Bronze Medal from the Superderby Festival Competition in Shreveport, LA 1995
•Special Achievement Award from the American Culinary Federation 1995
•2 Gold Medals and 2 Silver Medals from the Culinary Classic Competition in Shreveport, LA 1994
You can reach Chef Natalie at ndauterive@culinaryacademyofaustin.com
Heather Malkani, Pastry Chef Instructor
Baking has always been a passion for Heather. She was just 5 yrs old when she first started baking and won numerous awards at the local state fairs. Her family moved to Arizona when she was a teenager. On graduating from High School she began her professional education at the SCC Culinary School in Scottsdale where she received her Professional Chef Certification. Heather apprenticed at the Upper Crust Bakery Phoenix, Arizona, where she got the opportunity to create a cake for Frank Sinatra. It was here where she made her professional mark in the baking world. Heather went on to work at the Arizona Biltmore, a famous resort designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, where she created dessert painted plates, her passion for Baking led her to move to Albuquerque NM in 1996 where she opened her first Bakery. This venture led to the Bakery’s expansion of 45 employees and winning awards from the Make a Wish Foundation for 4 consecutive years, as well at multiple local and statewide baking competitions. She capitalized on this venture and moved to Austin Texas in 1990.
Heather has worked for All In One Bake Shop, Austin Texas as their Pastry Chef where she was noted for her many accomplishments relating to Wedding Cakes, Sculptured/3D Cakes, Birthday and Corporate Cakes. She is the first Pastry Chef in Austin that had created the concept of Cupcake Cakes. While at All in One Bake Shop She had taught children’s baking and decorating classes. In 2007, Heather has taught informal classes at Lake Austin Spa & Resort in Austin.
Most recently Heather Malkani has designed many cakes for the Austin Film Society, The Austin Chronicle, The Austin American Statesman, and KVUE. Her Cakes are pictured in The Mail Box News and American Cake Decorating Magazines. You can reach Chef Heather at heathermalkani@gmail.com
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Charles “Miles” Frost, Food and Beverage Instructor
Mr. Charles “Miles” Frost is a Food and Beverage Instructor. He graduated from the Austin Community College in Austin, Texas in 1979 with an Associate of Applied Science Degree. Mr. Frost is experienced in Management Applications to Food Service Operations, Food Service Layout – Design – Concept, Personal Computer Adaptation to Food Service Operations, All POS Systems, Advertising and Graphic Design, TV Ad Production, Computer Networking, Business Financial and Leasing as well as Construction Project Development and Management.
Mr. Frost currently owns and operates the “Frost Business Systems in Austin, Texas. In addition, he has several years of industry experience in managing several restaurants as well as catering businesses in the Houston and Austin area.
Mr. Frost continues to develop his skills and knowledge by continuing to attend education classes through the City of Austin/Travis County Health Department Food Service, the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission, City of Houston, Department of Health, Food Service the Restaurant Management Institute, Restaurant Accounting and Controls and the Dale Carnegie Institute.
Mr. Frost is involved with community service such as the Children’s Assessment Center, Wonders and worries, Muscular Dystrophy, Eanes Education Foundation, Westlake Chaps Club and the Christmas Affair.
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Noe Pruneda, Admissions Representative
Noe Pruneda is committed to assisting you through the admissions process to assure that you will have a smooth transition into your program of choice at the Culinary Academy of Austin. The Culinary Academy of Austin offers several different programs to choose from and programs to fit any budget. Any questions regarding the different programs offered should be directed to Noe Pruneda at 512-451-5743 ext. 305 or npruneda@culinaryacademyofaustin.com
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Elizabeth Falto-Mannion, Financial Aid Administrator
There are many Financial Aid programs available to students at the Culinary Academy of Austin. Students from every income bracket are eligible for some type of financial assistance. Our Financial Aid Office will go over the possible programs that may consist of Federal Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Alternative Funding, CAA Interest Payment Plans or a combination of the above. The Financial Aid Office is committed to assisting students and their families in obtaining the necessary resources to make the Culinary Academy of Austin education affordable. Contact Elizabeth to learn more about CAA’s Financial Aid Options at 512-451-5743 ext. 302 or emannion@culinaryacademyofaustin.com.
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Administrative Assistant
The Administrative Assistant wears many hats at the Culinary Academy of Austin. The Administrative Assistant is committed to assisting you as well as the Admissions Team to ensure a smooth transition to your career into the culinary arts. If you are interested in any of our "Fun Cooking Classes" please contact us 512-451-5743 ext. 301 or info@culinaryacademyofaustin.ocm
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