Tom the Chef Information

With a lifelong passion ignited in my grandmothers' kitchens in Brno, Czech Republic, my culinary journey has been one of constant learning, creating, and sharing. I've worn many hats in the food world—from chef and restaurateur to caterer and culinary instructor—across both Europe and the United States. My path has led me from founding a large catering company in the Czech Republic to opening the beloved Czech Deli in Iowa, always with the goal of sharing authentic flavors and the joy of a good meal. My love for food extends beyond the professional kitchen. As a food writer for The Gazette and CookingHub, a consultant for non-profits, and a freelance culinary instructor, I've had the privilege of sharing my knowledge with a wide audience. I've taught nearly 200 live online cooking classes, served as an instructor at Kirkwood College, and even had the honor of filming cooking content for PBS. This passion for teaching is rooted in a simple belief: cooking should be a source of joy, not stress. My mission is to be a trusted partner in your kitchen, offering authentic expertise and support to help you create lasting memories through food. Beyond the plate, I am deeply committed to fighting hunger. As the co-founder, president, and CEO of the CookingHub Foundation, I am proud to lead a non-profit that utilizes a recipe platform to combat food insecurity. My ultimate purpose is to ignite a passion for cooking in others and empower them to share that passion with the world, creating a stronger community, one delicious meal at a time. I'm always open to connecting with fellow food lovers, collaborators, and anyone interested in making a difference through the culinary arts.