NOVEMBER 5, 2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Yamelie Gonzalez, Communications Manager

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CELEBRITY CHEF EVENT RETURNS FRIDAY WITH STUDENTS IN THE MIX

MARION COUNTY – Five nationally-acclaimed celebrity chefs will share their experiences with Marion County middle and high school culinary arts students this Friday, Nov. 7, as part of a local food festival.

The celebrity chefs are in Ocala this weekend participating in a culinary celebration at World Equestrian Center (WEC). This year’s lineup includes:

• Duff Goldman, a chef, artist, and TV personality best known for Food Network’s Ace of Cakes. Founder of Charm City Cakes and Duff’s Cakemix, he’s also a New York Times bestselling author of Super Good Baking for Kids and has starred in multiple Food Network shows including Ace of Taste, Cake Masters, Buddy vs. Duff, and the Baking Championship series.
• Yohann Le Bescond, a French-trained pastry chef and TV personality, Complex executive pastry chef at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. He’s a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist and has appeared on Food Network’s Summer Baking Championship and Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking, while mentoring students through Marion County Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and the Public Education Foundation of Marion County (PEFMC).
• Stephan Holland, an executive chef at The Equestrian Manor at the World Equestrian Center. With over 20 years in Modern American, Spanish, Asian, Japanese, and Haute Cuisine, he’s led openings at Atlantis Resort, collaborated with top chefs, headlined major food festivals, and is launching four new restaurant concepts this year.
• Kristofer Sullivan, who brings a rich culinary pedigree shaped by experiences at Le Bernardin, Atlantis Resort, Bangkok Supper Club, and as a private chef in Los Angeles. Known for his refined yet approachable style, he blends classic techniques with modern flair to create elevated Italian cuisine. He is Chef de Cuisine at Genievieve’s, an elegant Italian rooftop restaurant opening at the end of 2025 at WEC’s The Equestrian Manor.
• Jonathan Martini is hotel executive chef at WEC and leads the culinary program at The Equestrian Hotel. With a multicultural background rooted in Brazil and Italy, his experience spans Forbes 5‑Star properties and work under a “Top 50 Best Chef.”

All five celebrity chefs will visit middle and high school culinary classrooms based on the following schedule:

• CELEBRITY CHEF: Duff Goldman & Yohann Le Bescond

  Belleview High School (10400 SE 36 Ave., Belleview, 34420)

  TIME: 9 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.

  Belleview Middle School (10500 SE 36 Ave., Belleview, 34420)

  TIME: 10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

   

• CELEBRITY CHEF: Stephan Holland

  Dunnellon Middle School (21005 Chestnut St., Dunnellon, 34431)

  TIME: 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

  Dunnellon High School (10055 SW 180 Ave. Rd., Dunnellon, 34421)

  TIME: 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

   

• CELEBRITY CHEF: Kristofer Sullivan

  Osceola Middle School (526 SE Tuscawilla Ave., Ocala, 34471)

  TIME: 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

  Forest High School (5000 SE Maricamp Rd., Ocala, 34480)

  TIME: 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.

   

• CELEBRITY CHEF: Jonathan Martini

Fort McCoy School (16160 NE Hwy 315, Ft. McCoy, 32134)

TIME: 8:15 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. 

  Marion Technical College Extension (Bridgeway Academy) (1614 E. Fort King St., Ocala, 34471)

TIME: 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

These celebrity chef visits bring real-life experiences and face-to-face interactions to students considering Culinary careers. With hundreds of MCPS students involved in Culinary Arts programs, the visits reinforce industry growth and the need to provide graduates prepared to fill positions in the Culinary field.

            For the fourth year in a row, WEC has designated the PEFMC as a recipient of its fund-raising efforts. Donated dollars support MCPS culinary arts programs (through the CTE Department) and bring talented, celebrity chefs to Ocala to inspire students and others to pursue careers in Culinary Arts and Hospitality. Students are also selected and paired with celebrity chefs for a culinary competition with prizes.

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