About Me
About Me
I’ve spent more than four decades cooking, teaching, traveling, and occasionally setting off fire alarms in the name of culinary excellence. From the Tuscan kitchens of Florence to the bustling food stalls of Thailand and the culinary colleges just outside San Francisco, I’ve chased flavor across the globe—and brought it all back to the classroom… and now, to you.
My culinary journey began in a small pizza shop in 1983, where I first fell in love with the pace, precision, and excitement of the kitchen. Like many great chefs, I started at the bottom, learning that success comes from hard work, teamwork, and a willingness to keep learning every single day.
Cook Learn Enjoy
Later, I joined the United States Army, serving as a Sergeant and Desert Storm veteran stationed in Germany. During my time overseas, I traveled extensively throughout Europe, where every country, every market, and every family meal taught me something new. Those experiences broadened my appreciation for cultures around the world and reinforced something I still believe today—that food is one of the greatest ways to bring people together. The discipline, leadership, and work ethic I developed in the military continue to influence everything I do, both in the kitchen and in the classroom.
In 2013, I was given the opportunity to build a high school culinary arts program from the ground up in Connecticut. Together with an incredible community of students, educators, and supporters, we transformed an empty vision into one of the school’s most recognized and celebrated programs. I developed the curriculum, helped design the kitchens, and created a learning environment where students gain real-world experience, industry skills, and the confidence to pursue their dreams. Watching students discover their passion for cooking has been one of the greatest privileges of my career.
Then came 2020.
Like everyone else, I watched the world change almost overnight. As schools closed and we transitioned to online learning, I stayed connected with my students through our virtual classrooms. During those conversations, several students quietly shared something that broke my heart—they were hungry. Their families didn’t have enough food.
I couldn’t ignore that.
What began as a small effort to help a few families quickly grew into Whalers Helping Whalers, a grassroots nonprofit created to serve the New London community during one of its most difficult times. With the support of hundreds of volunteers, local businesses, organizations, and community partners, we distributed more than 1.6 million pounds of food to thousands of families throughout the region. It remains one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. While I was humbled to receive honors including the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award and Special Congressional Recognition, the greatest reward was knowing that our students and their families had food on their tables when they needed it most.
Teaching has always been my passion, whether it’s in a classroom, on television, or through the pages of a cookbook. My cooking show, Chef Tomm, has reached more than 3 million viewers, and I’ve had the opportunity to appear on television programs across both the East and West Coasts. No matter where I’m teaching, my goal has always been the same: to share not only recipes, but also the history, culture, traditions, and techniques that make every dish meaningful.
When I’m not teaching or writing, you’ll usually find me experimenting with new recipes, researching traditional techniques, working on my next cookbook, or dreaming up new ways to make culinary education more engaging. Some of my favorite moments, though, happen away from the spotlight—spending time with my family, who have been my greatest supporters throughout every chapter of my life. At home, I’m also happily supervised by my two dogs, Snoup Dogg and Emma Marie, who are absolutely convinced they’re professional sous chefs and never miss an opportunity to volunteer as taste testers.
For me, cooking has never been just about following a recipe. It’s about understanding the people behind the food—their history, traditions, celebrations, and everyday lives. Every dish has a story to tell, and every culture has something to teach us. Throughout my travels, I’ve learned that although ingredients and techniques may change from one country to the next, sharing a meal is a language everyone understands. That’s the philosophy behind Chef Tomm Teaches the World. My goal isn’t simply to teach recipes; it’s to take you on a journey, helping you discover the people, places, and traditions that make each cuisine unique while giving you the confidence to recreate those experiences in your own kitchen.
What began as a small effort to help a few families quickly grew into Whalers Helping Whalers, a grassroots nonprofit created to serve the New London community during one of its most difficult times. With the support of hundreds of volunteers, local businesses, organizations, and community partners, we distributed more than 1.6 million pounds of food to thousands of families throughout the region. It remains one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. While I was humbled to receive honors including the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award and Special Congressional Recognition, the greatest reward was knowing that our students and their families had food on their tables when they needed it most.
Teaching has always been my passion, whether it’s in a classroom, on television, or through the pages of a cookbook. My cooking show, Chef Tomm, has reached more than 3 million viewers, and I’ve had the opportunity to appear on television programs across both the East and West Coasts. No matter where I’m teaching, my goal has always been the same: to share not only recipes, but also the history, culture, traditions, and techniques that make every dish meaningful.
When I’m not teaching or writing, you’ll usually find me experimenting with new recipes, researching traditional techniques, working on my next cookbook, or dreaming up new ways to make culinary education more engaging. Some of my favorite moments, though, happen away from the spotlight—spending time with my family, who have been my greatest supporters throughout every chapter of my life. At home, I’m also happily supervised by my two dogs, Snoup Dogg and Emma Marie, who are absolutely convinced they’re professional sous chefs and never miss an opportunity to volunteer as taste testers.
For me, cooking has never been just about following a recipe. It’s about understanding the people behind the food—their history, traditions, celebrations, and everyday lives. Every dish has a story to tell, and every culture has something to teach us. Throughout my travels, I’ve learned that although ingredients and techniques may change from one country to the next, sharing a meal is a language everyone understands. That’s the philosophy behind Chef Tomm Teaches the World. My goal isn’t simply to teach recipes; it’s to take you on a journey, helping you discover the people, places, and traditions that make each cuisine unique while giving you the confidence to recreate those experiences in your own kitchen.
Over the years, cooking has taken me farther than I ever imagined. It has introduced me to remarkable people, opened doors around the world, and taught me lessons that extend far beyond the kitchen. Along the way, I’ve learned that great food isn’t just about ingredients or technique—it’s about bringing people together, preserving traditions, creating memories, and sharing a little piece of yourself with others.
Whether you’re exploring recipes on this website, reading one of my books, watching a video, or one day stepping into the Chef Tomm Studio, I hope you leave inspired to try something new. My mission has always been to teach, encourage, and help others discover the joy of cooking, no matter where they are on their culinary journey.
So, whether you’re preparing your very first meal or you’ve been cooking for years, I’m honored you’ve chosen to spend a little time in my kitchen.