Susana P. Guerero, President

Susana P. Guerrero graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics majoring in Nutrition. She has also attended the Culinary Institute of America both in California and New York.

Ms. Guerrero is the country’s only Certified Culinary Professional to be awarded the prestigious title by the International Association of Culinary Professionals. She is a recipient of various awards and citations among which is the 1995 Entrepreneurship Award from the Philippine Congress.

A staunch environmentalist, she is the Chair of the Livelihood and Waste Management Committee of the Quezon City Inner Wheel Club, Trustee of the Zero Waste and Recycling Movement of the Philippines. Ms. Guerrero was the former Governor of the La Vista Association who spearheaded the building of an Ecology Center for the subdivision and introducing its currently successful Waste Management Program.

Marinela G. Trinidad, CEO

Marinela G. Trinidad graduated from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Accountancy. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of the Philippines and a Master of Entrepreneurship from the Asian Institute of Management.

She took up further studies in Food and Beverage Management from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Chef Melissa D. Sison, CEC,CCA, Program Director

Chef Melissa Sison is currently the Program Director of CCA Manila, she began her career at CCA since as the Academic Programs Manager. She is a graduate of SHA Ecole Des Roches, Bluche, Valais Switzerland with Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management and she holds a Master's Degree in Entrepreneurship from the Asian Institute of Management,  and continuous to pursue further education by travelling and attending continuing education programs and conventions abroad such as Culinary Institute of America ( Napa), Food Service Educators Summit in Kendall College in Chicago and the annual ACF convention in various parts in the US. Her knowledge and experience in the industry gave her the award as one of the top 5 Bravest Chefs and Promising Chef in the Philippines in 2000, the ACF Presidential Coin in March 2010 for her entrepreneurial contribution to culinary education, the highest honor an ACF member may receive is the ACF Presidential Medallion which Chef Melissa received in July 2012 at the ACF Orlando Convention, she also holds the title as the first Filipina ACF Certified Executive Chef and Certified Culinary Administrator in the Philippines.  She owned and operated  restaurants such as Salumeria Cafe, My Little Kitchen, Mr. Rockefeller, Butter Diner and also served as Executive Chef for Research and Development of Oyster Group of Companies. She is committed in continuously improving culinary education to its highest potential here in the Philippines.

Dra. Veritas F. Luna, Chancellor for BS Culinary Management

Ma. Veritas F. Luna is a graduate of the University of the Philippines, Diliman with degrees in BS Community Nutrition, MS Nutrition and PhD Nutrition obtained in 1980, 1988 and 2001, respectively. She was the Managing Director of CCA Manila from 2008 to 2012. Prior to her stint with the Cravings Group, she was associate professor and chairperson of Department of Food Science and Nutrition, College of Home Economics, UP Diliman from 2003 to 2008. As UP faculty for 27 years, she handled a wide array of courses in the areas of food preparation and cooking, meal management, food preservation, experimental study of foods, fundamentals of food technology, regional cookery, dietary patterns, nutrition, and even values and ethics. She was involved in many curricular and syllabi development efforts at the College of Home Economics. She headed the college committee for the institution of introductory courses for all bachelor degrees of the college, and lead in the curricular review and revision of the BS Community Nutrition program in the late 1980s. Dr. Luna has authored several publications and researches, and conducted several seminars and workshops along line teaching methods in foods, food threshold studies, food safety, nutrition transition, nutrition education and meal management. She is author of Guzman’s Introduction to Food Preparation, a publication used by students in food related tertiary education program in the country. Dr. Luna was recipient of several fellowship grants from the UP Diliman and one from the Sweden International Development Cooperation Authority to participate in the training program on Global NutrITion at the Uppsala University, Sweden in 2004. She is also a recipient of recognition awards including the PAN Fellow award, for her outstanding achievements in the field of nutrition promotion, education and advocacy in 2011; the UP Home Economics Alumni Association Outstanding Professional Award in 2006; the UPHEAA Outstanding Graduate Award for her exemplary performance as a graduate student in 2002. She is currently the president of the Philippine Society of Nutritionist-Dietitians, Inc. and a board member of the Philippine Association of Nutrition. She is also a member of the Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines, the accredited professional organization of her profession. She was chair of the Council of Deans and Heads of Nutrition and Dietetics from 2003-2006. She was a member of the PRC Continuing Professional Education Council for her profession from 2004-2006. She was also a member of the Technical Committee for Nutrition-Dietetics Education of CHED.

She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Culinary Education Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the Cravings Group. In 2010, Dr. Luna spearheaded efforts for the re-accreditation of the academic programs of CCA Manila by the American Culinary Federation, the largest organization of professional culinarians and chefs in North America. She also led efforts towards the accreditation of CCA Manila as the only test site for ACF professional certification in the Asia-Pacific. Dr. Luna was also responsible for the accreditation by the Professional Regulations Commission of CCA Manila as a continuing professional education provider in Nutrition-Dietetics field. She initiated the offering of Culinary Arts in Special Diets, a continuing education short course for ND professionals. She also led CCA Manila in its accreditation as higher education institution by the Commission of Higher Education. In June 2012, Dr. Luna instituted the offering of CCA Manila’s first baccalaureate degree, the BS Culinary Management.

Ma. PilarHerbolario, Registrar and Admissions Office Manager

Maria Pilar Herbolario, is currently the School Registrar of CCA, Manila and a Board Member of the TEVSAPhil QC, an association of the different TECHVOC schools in Quezon City.

She graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Studies from AMA Computer College. Ms. Herbolario has 20 years of experience in the academe. She started her career in the academe by teaching computer at St. Louis University Boys High School in Baguio City that soon led her to a career in an international IT School in Manila handling key positions such as the academics head, center operations manager, student support & exams manager, quality assurance advisor, compliance manager and head of the government accounts office. The Office of Registrar’s and Admissions facilitate the academic experience of students enrolled at CCA, Manila, from the time of registration to graduation.

Her office is responsible for keeping all student records (past and present) and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of records, helps enforce and implement academic and administrative policies; as well as provides assistance in the development of, and modifications to, such policies and procedures that will best serve the school.

Ms. Ana Maria C.Palmares, Corporate Public Relations Manager

Faculty Coordinator for the Apprenticeship Class. A graduate of Behaviorial Science at Maryknoll College.Worked with the Hotel Intercontinental Manila &L'Fisher Hotel in Bacolod as well as the Food  Service Division of Meralco. Took the Fundamentals in Culinary Arts Course at CCA in 2006. A recipient of the American Culinary Federation Cutting Edge Award given by the ACF President Michael Ty last August 2012.

Ms. Jeanette Naval, Student Affairs Manager

Certified Guidance Counselor and Professional Teacher.

A Graduate of Magna cum Laude, Masters’ Degree in Counseling Psychology at Roosevelt College.  Graduate of BS Psychology in St. Paul University, Quezon City.  Worked with Roosevelt College as part-time lecturer in the Liberal Arts, Department.  Worked as a professional counselor as well as an early childhood educator.

Mr. Dennis Leung, Sales & Marketing Manager

Dennis Leung has over 15 years of experience in corporate management specializing in the field of Sales and Marketing, Business Development, Corporate Planning and Human Resources. With work experience in media, chemicals, internet gaming and education industries, Mr. Leung is able to organize and execute various strategies that strengthens  branding and enrollment strategies for CCA.

Ms. Judith Imperial, Human Resource Director

Judith B. Imperial, currently the HR Director of the Cravings Group, and a Board of Director of the Association of Human Resources Managers (AHRM) in the Hospitality Industry.

She graduated Cum Laude with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Santo Tomas. She earned her Masteral units in Psychology from the same school. She has 28 years of HR Practice gained from different service industries such as local and foreign banks, pre-school, trading, hotel and restaurant groups.

As one of the Senior Management of The Cravings Group, her major role is to strategically align the best practices in Human Resources Leadership with emphasis on Talent Acquisition and Management, Employee Relations, Policy Development, and Service Excellence across all Companies (Cravings Restaurants, The Center for Culinary Arts, Manila, and The Asian School of Hospitality Arts). She also takes the lead in promoting the Company’s Vision, Mission, Core Values, and the environmental advocacy among all employees.