I am thrilled to call L'Academie Baking & Cooking School my home, and am excited to dig in. I am a Chicago native with 27 years of public and private school teaching, administration, and higher education experience, now living in Tucson since 2018.

I hold a doctorate from Roosevelt University, Chicago, and spent ten years as Dean of the School of Education at Kendall College in Chicago, Illinois, where I learned some great culinary strategies and techniques (though never as good as my Mom's!). I also train American Saddlebred horses, and I especially enjoy reading, writing, landscaping & gardening. One of my aspirations in life is to complete my debut novel and become the next great American writer.

What an incredible opportunity to work with and learn from talented, skilled, and knowledgeable chefs in this glorious location! I look forward to getting to know the Gilbert community.

Heather has been involved in the Culinary and Hospitality industry for 10-years, and is a Le Cordon Bleu graduate. From fine dining, and catering to owning a wholesale baker in Oklahoma. Shea has done a variety of things within the industry, but the true place in her heart is chocolate work and the artistry of bread. She has also built a foundation and love of flavor pairings and combinations with the start of her website TheLove ofFlavor.com. Always excited to continue to learn and grow together and share the love of baking!

Michelle has been in the culinary world for over 20 years. In her high school culinary program, she competed for and won a scholarship through C-CAP to attend culinary school.

After graduating from Scottsdale Culinary Institute, she worked in pastry shops and restaurants until she started her family. For the next 18 years she ran a successful business making wedding and event cakes.

In 2020, she left the cake world and decided to go back to school to become a chocolate sommelier. She now holds two certificates from the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting. She has been hosting chocolate tastings, teaching others about what makes craft chocolate and why it's worth the extra money to support the craft.

Erica brings over 25 years experience with her. Starting from a young age, she was passionate about baking and patisserie. She began by decorating cakes for friends and family in her teens. In April of 1993 she began her classical training at Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon. Graduating in 1994, she then moved to Hawai'i to begin her career at the Grand Wailea Resort as a pastry cook. Honing her skills there for over a year, Erica then traveled to Europe where she took some time to travel the continent. While traveling abroad, she was privileged to attend Le Cordon Bleu's Patisserie program in London, England. Graduating with Honors, she was asked to stay on and pursue her education by becoming an instructor’s assistant.

Upon her return to Portland, Erica was finally able to attain her dream of owning her own business. Finales-Fine Cakes & Desserts was born in a small commissary kitchen in Portland's SE Industrial District in February, 2003. Building upon her cake decorating skills, she quickly became one of Portland's preferred wedding cake vendors. While building the wedding cake business, she also began to grow a thriving wholesale base.

Finales' wholesale business continues to flourish to this day however in June, 2017 Erica handed over the keys to the new owner. After 14 years, she took a long overdue sabbatical over several months, reflecting and planning for the future.

In May of 2019, Erica accepted the Pastry Chef position at the Facebook Data Center in Prineville, Oregon, making the move over the mountains to Central Oregon. After a couple years there, Erica's restless spirit grew and she decided to make an even bigger move. In April of 2022, she packed up everything and made her way to Arizona. After just a short time, she realized she wanted to make this her new home and joined forces with Sue in Sue Jacobs Cakes.

Cassie Romero

Assistant

Hello everyone! I am currently a senior in high school attending Arete Preparatory Academy. At school I am involved in different clubs such as Student Life Team, Hearts for Others volunteer club, and my school’s mentoring program. I love working with middle school aged kids, helping them with their studies and adapting to campus life. In my free time I love to visit the beach and spend time with my friends.

My passion for baking has been with me for as long as I can remember. Decorating sugar cookies is my favorite way to relax and it brings out my creative side.

I’ve had the opportunity to take many kinds of cookie decorating classes from professional instructors and I have picked up many cool tips and tricks along the way that I’m excited to share.

I hope to pursue baking professionally in the future and one day have my own business doing the thing I love.

Michelle Zimmerman

Chef & Chocolate Sommelier

Michelle has been in the culinary world for over 20 years. In her high school culinary program, she competed for and won a scholarship through C-CAP to attend culinary school.

After graduating from Scottsdale Culinary Institute, she worked in pastry shops and restaurants until she started her family. For the next 18 years she ran a successful business making wedding and event cakes.

In 2020, she left the cake world and decided to go back to school to become a chocolate sommelier. She now holds two certificates from the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting. She has been hosting chocolate tastings, teaching others about what makes craft chocolate and why it's worth the extra money to support the craft.

I was born in Tucson, Arizona, and grew up in the Catalina Foothills. At the age of 6 I became a child actor and performed in many commercials, television shows, and films. I had agents and managers in both Arizona and California, who taught me a great deal about being social as well as the importance of grounded-ness in life. While most kids were watching cartoons on the weekend, my brother and I cleaned office complexes. So even as a young kid, I had a driven work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit.

While growing up I traveled to many foreign countries and had the chance to study abroad in France and Australia. these experiences gave me a great appreciation for different cultures as well as a deep love for my home state. So I set forth into the hospitality industry and became a General Manager by age 19, which led me to Eller College of Mangement at the University of Arizona. I then followed my passion for wine and completed my Sommelier certification through the Court of Masters Sommelier, and at age 22 I became the youngest Sommelier and Captain at a 5-Diamond restaurant where I maintained the 5-Diamond status for three years in a row. I also now enjoy a career in real estate, and still enjoy teaching everyone about the various wines from across the world.