Our Faculty
Develop your culinary skills with the help of our experienced, professional faculty through Remington College's Culinary Arts Degree program. It is because of their own personal achievements and career success that they are able to help students on the path to their culinary careers. As a student at our Culinary Arts School at our Dallas, Texas campus you may have the opportunity to learn from our staff of culinary professionals.
Robert Bifulco - Program Chair
Chef Robert Bifulco earned an Associate's Degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor Degree in Hotel Management from the University of Denver, Colorado. He brings decades of culinary experience to the kitchen and classroom. Among other culinary awards, in 1993, Chef Bifulco was named Chef of the Year of the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Chef's Association. Chef Bifulco also worked as an Executive Chef and Private Club Manager for Marriott.Todd Pagan
Todd Pagan is a graduate of Sullivan College in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned two Associate Degrees, one in Culinary Arts and the other in Baking and Pastry Arts. He trained in Milan under Gualtiero Marchesi, an Italian chef who attained the Three-Star Michelin rating. Chef Pagan brings years of experience that include serving as a Sous Chef, Pastry Chef, Executive Chef, and Food and Beverage Director. Robert Hartner
Robert Hartner earned his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales College in 1977, and he has been involved with kitchen management since 1983. He has been recognized by the American Culinary Federation for 20 years of outstanding service. One of Chef Hartner's most interesting experiences was his supervision of the private club for the International Olympic Committee in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sandra Cohen
Sandra Cohen started in the culinary field after a career change. Chef Cohen first obtained an English Degree to become a teacher, but she later decided to pursue her culinary passion and earned an Associate Degree at the California School of Culinary Arts in Pasadena, California. Over the years, Chef Cohen has worked at several restaurants and catering companies throughout the Los Angeles area, including Casa Del Mar Hotel, The Sunset Tower, The Bungalow Club Hollywood, and Ortolan Restaurant.John Pladocostante
Chef John Pladocostante is originally from Utica, New York. Coming from a large Italian family whose lifestyle, he says, revolves almost entirely around food and wine. His grandparents first exposed him to cooking and baking at a young age. He received his Bachelor Degree from Paul Smith's College and continued his education when he earned his Master's Degree in Gastronomy from Boston University. Chef John (as he likes to be called) also studied abroad at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, where he learned French classical cooking and culture. With his move to Dallas to become an instructor for Remington College, Chef John is eager to assist his students in furthering their education.Lisa Orsini
Chef Orsini earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts from a premier culinary college, The Culinary Institute of America (CIA), in Hyde Park, New York. She also tenured as a Kitchen Fellow for the CIA, under the direction of Chef James Hanyzeski (CMC). Her responsibilities included purchasing all food products and supplies as well as mentoring other culinary students.
Over the years, Chef Orsini has held a broad range of positions in the hospitality industry, including positions as sous chef and assistant banquet captain at a large country club in Plano, Texas. Prior to that, she was employed as a sous chef and catering chef at a university hospital in Dallas, with responsibility for menu development, banquets, and patient services.
Ms. Orsini also has extensive expertise in the computer field, having worked as a business analyst in payroll and stock administration and having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from DeVry University. During that time, she also became certified by the International Sommelier Guild (ISG) as a Level 1 and 2 Master Sommelier, and she is now working toward her Master Sommelier diploma program certification. Through her distinguished culinary training, expertise with wines, and extensive computer background, Chef Orsini is uniquely positioned to impart her diverse knowledge and training to our culinary students at Remington College - Dallas Campus.