About

Full immersion is the term that rings true for Don. As the youngest in my family he was thrust into the activities and interests of his older siblings and parents. That environment fostered diverse interests, appreciation of the natural world, encouraged questioning the status quo, and valued cultural exchange. So it's natural that he has had an active engaging life with appreciation for a wide variety of disciplines.

Without really being a sportsman, adventurer, athlete, events coordinator, diplomat, scholar, restauranteur, or chef, it seems as if his life encompasses elements of all these professions. He has had a lifelong interest in learning. His love of sailing led to a career in hospitality that included leadership roles in several large square rigged sailing ships. Anyone who has been up in the rigging in a gale handling sails knows that to be an extreme sport. When serving in a ship, especially one considered a national treasure, diplomacy is required. This is just as true for the tours and receptions during tall ships festivals as it is when preparing the vessel for the Queen of Denmark to receive the U.S. Secretary of State. Throughout this exciting lifestyle there has been a culinary focus. Whether sampling world cuisine during his travels, working in the galley, or serving tables for luxury passengers, food has been a common thread.

The principle of navigation is to choose or discover a route as direct and expedient as possible while prioritizing the safety of the vessel, people, and the environment. This principle has served him to ethically navigate through a lifetime of following his passion for sailing, travel, learning, meeting other people and experiencing their cultures. he loves travel, discovery and teaching. Don has traveled extensively exploring world cuisine, visiting, meeting, and sharing cultures, and concepts. This has provided the depth to draw links to a variety of subjects and concepts and tie them together to be effective as an experiential trainer. It is natural outcome for him to tie all this together and share his love of food and beer with others.

"All the skills I have developed have come together to serve my passion for teaching."