James, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, began his culinary training in the military, followed by an accredited Pastry Apprenticeship, Certificate of Specialization and Diploma in Food & Beverage Management and continuing education classes around the world. He has over 5 years of experience in the culinary industry as Pastry Chef at restaurants, hotels, resorts and catering venues as well as an instructor at culinary schools. James is an avid competitor and as earned over 30 medals in professional culinary competitions.
Participating in the first "National Team Baking and Pastry Championship" (2004), James along with his teammate received the silver medal and was featured on the Food Network. James was again featured on the Food Network as a judge of the 2005 "Holiday Cakes" held on St.Simons Island, Georgia.
In July 2005, James joined "Team Lhuillier," that captured top honors at the "National Pastry Team Championship," the newly crowned National Champions then became "Team USA 2006" and competed at the World Pastry Team Championship receiving the Bronze medal. In 2009, he found himself part of Team USA once again, this time bound for Lyon, France, set to compete at the “Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie” or the World Pastry Cup as it has become known. This past March James led his team to victory in the pilot episode of “Chocolate Wars,” a new chocolate competition series on TLC.
He joined Atlanta Foods International in May 2010, as our Corporate Pastry Chef.