Chef Michael Lyons

Chef Michael Lyons has always loved food and wine, but only recently has he begun cooking professionally.  Previously Michael worked as a Big Six technology consultant, specializing in mergers & acquisitions, software implementation and project management.  Already possessing an undergraduate degree from Duke University and Masters degrees in Accounting and Finance from Bentley College, Michael decided it was time to obtain yet another degree; one in Culinary Arts. 

He commuted 6 hours daily from his home in Cleveland, Ohio to Pennsylvania Culinary Institute in Pittsburgh, where he attended their Cordon Bleu program.  He graduated valedictorian of his class and earned the prestigious Chaines des Rotisseurs honor.  After an internship at the Ritz Carlton, Cleveland he stayed on to be the Chef of Garde Manger before leaving to run his own catering company, Accessible Gourmet. 

In his free time he has donated his cooking talents to many worthwhile organizations to help raise needed funds. To name a few: The American Heart Association, The Gathering Place (a support organization for cancer patients and their families), The Millridge School (a school for hearing impaired children), and Journey of Hope (an organization that provides financial assistance for cancer patients).  In his free time he teaches cooking classes to grade school students and is at home raising his two boys, David and Jonathan. 

Recently, he published his first book, “A Cook at Heart: A Recipe for Transforming Your Life,” and can be seen around town promoting his story of following one’s heart to live out your dreams.

© 2008 Accessible GourmetTM                              Home     About Us     Menus & Recipes     Weblog     Events & Press     Contact Us