Robin Villarreal
Culinary Arts Institute Ambassador & Head of Strategic Culinary Projects, Varna, Bulgaria

Lecture title: Be a realist, always and verify


Biography

Unlike most Chef’s in the industry, Robin has a different beginning in the world of culinary arts. He has more than 15 years of culinary instruction and curriculum development experience. Robin has turned his passion for food and cooking into a driven career, succeeding leadership and judging roles in culinary education industry.
In 1997, Robin started his education at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology studying to become an airline pilot. In 2000, he began commercial flying and accumulated more than 5000 flying hours, but due to unfortunate events he was forced to look towards his other passion which is food and graduated in 2003 obtaining a Grand Diplome with high distinction from Le Cordon Bleu. Furthermore, he obtained numerous other certificates from institutions like Royal Thai School of Culinary Arts, Lenôtre and the Culinary Institute of America. It was during his studies where he realized that culinary education was the career path he wanted to pursue. This took him to distinguished institutions like Le Cordon Bleu and UVM/Glion Institute of Higher Education where he learned the craft on instructing the culinary arts.
In 2007, Robin took up the position of Director/Head Chef Instructor at HRC Culinary Academy. It was here that his long time dream of creating and establishing a professional culinary education program certificate from scratch turned into a reality. His efforts made HRC Culinary Academy at the time the only American Culinary Federation certified academy in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.
In 2016, Robin joined Varna University of Management (VUM) as the Program Director/Head Chef Instructor. He was then tasked to develop and accredit a dual degree three year professional bachelor’s degree program in Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts which was approved accredited in 2019 giving VUM the only double degree in Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts in Eastern Europe and the Balkan region.
A citizen of the world, born in Quezon City, Philippines, he has lived abroad in the continents of Asia, America, Australasia and Europe. He has the dual nationality of Philippines and Mexico and speaks fluent, English, Spanish and Tagalog.
Furthermore, he is also shareholder and Key Account Manager for Planets Pride Balkans AD, in charge of developing and creating awareness for the Planets Pride’s portfolio in the Balkan region by bringing the most secure, traceable, certified and sustainable products to the market.
Today, Chef Robin continues to collaborate with Varna University of Management under his new role as Ambassador and Head of Strategic Culinary projects which aims to diffuse VUM’s unique culinary teaching and training programs to other Universities around the world.
“Flavour, the combination of aroma and taste are among the most important criteria in any dish. Without it there is no lasting impression. Always keep in mind what the end flavour will be”

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