National Institute for Culinary and Hospitality Education (NICHE) - WSU Tech

From London to New York, from Virginia to Napa, from North Carolina to Kansas, John Michael's career in service has broached 30 years and over 20 establishments including patisseries, cafes, restaurants, bistros, country clubs, hotels, wine shops, wine bars, wineries and finally to education, which he finds to be a service and a pleasure all its own.

He has cooked for Elizabeth Taylor, Nelson Mandela, Jon Bon Jovi and Julia Roberts. He has apologized to Morgan Freeman because his bartender messed up his martini and had to explain to guests that he found it important to maintain the anonymity of those he serves after they became irate that he didn’t let them know that Kathleen Turner was on the other side of the bar. He has unscrewed, ah-so’d, strained decanted and sabered wines worth thousands of dollars and in the same night has rolled up his sleeves to help with the dishes and he doesn't regret a minute of any of it.

John Michael has associate's and bachelor's degrees from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY and last year attained his master's degree in food business with the Food Business School, a collaboration between the C.I.A. and Harvard Business School. He founded Butler Community College's Culinary Arts program which he ran along with his wife Lexi for 8 ½ years and in 2021 joined WSU Tech to create N.I.C.H.E. the National Institute for Culinary and Hospitality Education.

He is committed to utilizing all of his experience and education to create an entity that will revolutionize the culinary landscape of our city.