Vicky Colas

Background

About Vicky Colas

With over 25 years of experience in hospitality management, I am a culinary entrepreneur specializing in culinary arts and restaurant management. I possess extensive skills in culinary management, menu development, and design, and offer my expertise as a culinary services consultant. As an experienced Executive Chef, I have a demonstrated history in the food production industry, with proficiencies in catering, negotiation, cooking, gourmet cuisine, and nutrition. In addition to my professional endeavors, I am committed to community outreach. I provided nutrition education and cooking demonstrations to various nonprofit and for-profit community partners, including Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, Memorial Healthcare System, Holy Cross Hospital, Urban League in Broward, and Broward Housing Authorities. These services are designed and governed by the Florida Health Department, Aetna, and the Community Foundation of Broward. We also support organizations like the Jeremie Charitable Foundation and Culinary Wonders USA: Chefs Helping Chefs. My culinary journey has been enriched by working in esteemed establishments, including the Westin Fort Lauderdale, Tropi-Bleu Restaurant, Renaissance Plantation, and Turnberry Isle Resorts and Spa and Many more over the years. I have collaborated with talented chef peers all over the United and states through Pop pup dinners and several events and celebrity chefs at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. In 2019, I was honored to be selected for the James Beard Foundation Women Entrepreneurial Leadership Fellowship, a prestigious award recognizing talented culinary women entrepreneurs nationwide. Being an FIU Alumni, I’ve been blessed to have experience SOBWFF festival as a student, a featured Chef and now as a professor. In the last 3 years, i became part of team behind the scene of this mega food festival and together with 2 other great chefs, we play a pivotal role as professors at FIU in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival (SOBEWFF), ensuring students have the tools, training, and guidance and support needed to help produce a great event. In 2023, I showcased my culinary talents on a national stage, competing on Food Network’s Chopped. In 2024, I returned to Food Network to compete on Beat Bobby Flay, further demonstrating my passion for cooking and ability to excel under pressure. My dedication to the culinary arts, mentorship, and community engagement continues to drive my commitment to excellence.