(WACO) – Chef Mark Schneider is at a sizzling time in his career.

Schneider, chair of the Culinary Arts department at Texas State Technical College in Waco, was recently named Chef Educator of the Year by the Texas Chefs Association.

“It’s a huge honor,” he said. “I’ve been in education for 13 years and 12 of those have been at TSTC in Waco. I have watched and followed past competitors and what they do.”

Schneider will advance to the American Culinary Federation’s Central Region competition. The region is made up of states from Texas to North Dakota to Michigan. The winner goes on to national Chef Educator of the Year contest conducted by the American Culinary Federation.

Schneider’s draw to cooking is seeing the instant gratification for guests when they see a plate of food that looks too good to eat. He specializes in classical-based cuisine and feels he can satisfy the palate of any guest.

Schneider also enjoys watching the flourishing of students, from those who learn the basics of cutting vegetables to those planning menus and leading kitchens.

“I like the artistry and physical work with cooking,” he said.

Schneider is a 1989 graduate of Midway High School in Woodway.

He received a culinary diploma from the Greater Cincinnati Culinary Academy in 1993 and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Food Service and Culinary Arts from TSTC in Waco in 2001. He received a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree in Business from Tarleton State University in Stephenville in 2009.

Schneider began work at TSTC in 2002. He became a certified executive chef in 2002 and a certified culinary educator in 2008, both granted by the American Culinary Federation.

“Chef Schneider has worked diligently throughout his career to stretch the boundaries of culinary education,” Chef Gayle Van Sant of TSTC’s Culinary Arts department said. “Mentoring students and staff, development curriculum and encouraging all those around him are three of Chef Schneider’s strongest attributes. TSTC is fortunate to have such a distinguished and accomplished culinary professional.”

Schneider was named Chef of the Year by the Texas Chefs Association in 2008.

To learn more about the Culinary Arts program at TSTC in Waco, log on to tstc.edu.