David Cordúa
A native Houstonian, David Cordúa, was raised around food. His work in the kitchen began at age fifteen at his family's Américas restaurant starting as dishwasher and plantain peeler.
After graduating from the University of Santa Clara with a degree in Finance, Cordúa moved to France. There he attended culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris receiving Grand Diplômes in both Cuisine and Pastry. During his two year training in Paris he worked in some of the city's best kitchens including La Tour d'Argent. Upon his return to the states, Cordúa tackled the California bay area working in top kitchens in San Francisco, San Jose and Sonoma Valley.
He returned to Texas in 2007 to open the Cordúa group's second Américas in The Woodlands as contributing chef. In 2009 he was made Cordúa's Executive Chef of Development overseeing menus, recipes, and quality for its seven restaurants as well as its catering and events company.
David was awarded Up-and-Coming Chef of the Year, My Table 2010 Houston Culinary Awards.
2018 Chef of the Year
Kevin Naderi, Roost
Chefs Advisory Board
Beginning in the late 1990's Chef Monica Pope joined in Gracie's efforts to establish a group of concerned chefs who were willing to get involved in a hands on way to teach kids to cook. Twenty-four answered the call and in 2006, we established our Chefs Advisory Board, a working committee with Monica as its Chair. Through the years, more and more chefs have joined our founding members, and today we have over 100 members in Houston and across the country. Monica Pope continues to lead the team as Chair Emeritus.
These busy professionals donate their time month after month, year after year, bringing their unique insight and perspective of food to the children, turning on their taste buds and opening their minds to new foods. It's a Recipe for Success! Would you like to join us? Drop Paris an email and get started today!
The Foundation's Chefs Advisory Board served as inspiration for the White House campaign for Chefs Move to School! Six members of our Chefs Advisory Board joined members of our Board of Directors at the White House in June 2010 for the kick-off of Chefs Move to Schools! where Recipe for Success was featured as a national model and resource. See pictures here. And read about the trip here and here.