Master Chef Fritz Sonnenschmidt
Fritz Sonnenschmidt is a Heritage Professor of the Culinary Institute of America,
a Certified Master Chef of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and a Global Master
Chef of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACCS).
Chef Fritz is the author of The Professional Chefs Art of Gardemanger, Dining with
Sherlock Holmes, The American Harvest, Taste and Tales of a Chef - Stories and Recipes,
and Charcuterie Sausages/Pates/Accompaniments. He is currently finishing is latest
book, Meatless Cooking.
Chef Fritz is also a popular celebrity chef, appearing on six seasons of Cooking
Secrets of the CIA and five seasons of Grilling Maestros.
Chef Fritz started his culinary career with an apprenticeship in Munich, Germany.
His career has been flavored with extensive international work experience in hotel
and club kitchens, including serving as executive chef at the Sheraton Hotel in
New York City. In his early career he once used the name Francois as a pseudonym
to win a cooking competition; this was back when only French or Swiss Chefs were
considered excellent.
In 1968, he joined the Culinary Institute of America where he taught Garde Manger,
International cuisine and he retired as Culinary Dean in 2002. He was the past Chair
of the American Academy of Chefs, the honor society of the American Culinary Federation.
Fritz is a repeated gold medalist at the Culinary Olympics and other International
competitions, including the Jerusalem Gold Medal for excellence in kosher food and
the Geneva Gold medal in cold food display. Fritz is one of the most recognized
chefs among his peers and was voted into the American Academy of Chefs (ACC) Culinary
Hall of Fame. In 2009, he received the AAC Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also
a partner with Master Chefs Institute, a research and food evaluating company.
Chef Fritz is a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast and a member of the Baker Street Irregulars.
He married Debbie, "the most beautiful, intelligent and talented lady," 20 years
ago, drawn to the aroma of her cooking. Chef Fritz was taken with her when on their
third date she set off the fire alarm with her London Broil. They’ve been cooking
together ever since.