Lea Aclan

Lea Aclan has a wealth of experience in the food industry, starting with their role as Assistant Chef at County Prep High School in 2011. Lea then went on to become a Pastry Extern at Max Ultimate Food in 2012, and Advancement Office Assistant at The Culinary Institute of America in the same year. In 2013, they took on three roles at The Culinary Institute of America, Bocuse Restaurant and Apple Pie Bakery & Cafe as a Pastry Prep Cook and Savory Line Cook, respectively, as well as a Pastry Cook at Morimoto Restaurant. In 2015, they became a Quality Assurance Technician at Star Kay White, Inc. and in 2017, a Product Development Assistant at Dr. Praeger's Sensible Foods, LLC. Most recently, in 2021, they took on the role of Food Scientist, North America at LIVEKINDLY Collective, and is currently a Product Manager at Banza since 2022.

Lea Aclan attended HCST County Prep High School from 2005-2009, where they earned their High School degree in Culinary Arts. Lea then attended Rutgers University from 2009-2011. In 2012, they obtained a Servsafe certification from ServSafe Certified. Later that same year, they began attending The Culinary Institute of America, where they earned their Associate's Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef in 2014, and their Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Science/Culinology in 2015.