Certified Master Chef Daryl Shular
Meet Chef Daryl Shular:
A Trailblazer in Culinary Excellence
Certified Master Chef Daryl Shular is a visionary businessman, celebrated educator, and host of the popular TV show Twisted Dish on the Aspire Network. Born and raised in Central Florida, Shular graduated from Auburndale Sr. High, where he excelled in both sports and music as a band member. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned his degree in Culinary Arts from the Art Institute of Atlanta.
From an aspiring cook to an accomplished chef, Shular has achieved numerous historic milestones in his illustrious career. Among his accolades are earning the prestigious title of Certified Master Chef (CMC) in 2014, being the first minority to open a state-licensed culinary school in North America, and being a member of Team USA Culinary Olympic Team in 2008. These accomplishments would be considered a lifetime of success by many, but for Chef Shular, they were merely the beginning.
Introducing the Shular Tasting Room:
A New Era in Fine Dining
In addition to his educational initiatives, Chef Shular’s latest venture, the Shular Tasting Room, showcases his culinary excellence in a hyper-exclusive dining experience located in the heart of downtown Atlanta. The Tasting Room reflects Shular’s extensive international and classical cooking expertise, offering guests an unparalleled journey through bold flavors and exquisite techniques. This one-of-a-kind culinary concept reaffirms Shular’s commitment to redefining fine dining and setting new standards of excellence in the culinary arts.
Celebrating Achievements:
Chef Shular’s Impact on Culinary Arts
Shular has been featured in numerous media publications and holds a place in the American historical archives, The History Makers. His induction in 2005 made him one of the youngest African American chefs recognized for this achievement. Over the years, Shular has won more than twenty gold medals and multiple “Best in Show” awards at local and national culinary competitions. Notably, he competed in the 2008 IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany, earning a gold medal as part of Team USA against 63 global teams. In 2012, he served as captain of the ICS International Culinary Regional Team at the Culinary Olympics.
Breaking Barriers:
Chef Shular’s Historic Mastery
In 2014, after years of preparation and personal sacrifices, Chef Shular successfully passed the rigorous Certified Master Chef exam, making history as the first African American and minority chef to achieve this esteemed honor. This accomplishment cemented his place in culinary history and inspired his mission to mentor and empower the next generation of chefs.
Empowering Future Chefs:
Chef Shular’s Educational Initiatives
As the founder and CEO of the Daryl Shular Hospitality Group, Chef Shular launched the Shular Institute, the first Black-owned culinary school. Dedicated to providing hands-on, real-world culinary training, the Institute equips students with the professional versatility needed in today’s hospitality industry. Expanding this mission, Shular also established Brigade MKE, a program aimed at providing culinary education to high-risk youth in Milwaukee, helping them build skillsets for meaningful careers.
Family and Legacy:
The Heart of Chef Shular’s Journey
Despite his demanding schedule running multiple businesses, filming TV shows, and working on groundbreaking culinary projects, Chef Shular remains grounded and family-focused. He often attributes his success and motivation to his wife Michelle and his three daughters, whom he considers his greatest achievements. Shular’s passion for culinary excellence and dedication to community-building ensure that his legacy as a trailblazer in the industry will endure for generations to come.
Awards & Accomplishments
2000s
2003
Won 4-Gold medals and “best in shows” include the North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers Culinary Invitational, New Orleans, LA.
2004
Gold Medalist and National Champion in the Nutritional Hot Food Challenge at the ACF National Convention in Orlando, FL.
Gold Medal and “Best in Show” in Contemporary Hot Food at the SE. Regional Hotel, Motel & Restaurant Show in Myrtle Beach, SC.
2005
Invited by the Chinese government to participate in the International Hotel & Restaurant Association Culinary Arts Masters Competition in Guangzhou, China, achieving Gold Medals.
Gold Medal and “Best in Show” in Traditional Cold Food at the Pearl River Resort in Choctaw, MS.
Was selected as one of the only chefs and youngest inductees into the National acclaimed Historical Archive “The History Makers”. Life documentary was registered and logged into the Library of Congress in 2013.
2007
Supported the USA Culinary Olympic National Team at the Culinary World Cup in Luxemburg.
2008
Received the Gold Medal and a 3rd Place win, as a member of American Academy of Chefs Culinary Regional Team USA at the 2008 Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung, IKA, in Efurt, Germany. The IKA is also known as the Culinary Olympics. Sixty four teams competed in the prestigious cooking competition.
2010s
2012
Team captain for the ACF Culinary Regional Team USA that competed at the 2012 Culinary Olympics.
2014
Passed the rigorous 130-hour, eight day test, known as the Master Chef Exam. This exam is by the American Culinary Federation (ACF) and considered one of the highest honors in culinary arts. Shular became one of only 68 Certified Master Chefs globally and the first African American to achieve this honor.
2016
Selected as Lead Judge (Advanced Culinary Training Division Manager) at the 41st United States Army Culinary Arts Team (USACAT) at Joint Culinary Center of Excellence Fort Lee, VA.
Recipient of the Darryl E. Evans Award of Excellence from the Edna Lewis Foundation
Recipient of the Spirit Award for Industry Leadership of Excellence.
2017
Inducted into the African American Hall of Fame in Savannah, GA, and the Smithsonian African American Museum in Washington, DC.
Present
2020
Shular co-founded Shular Institute and Farmed, a culinary program located in Georgia designed to provide practical culinary education paired with real-world restaurant experience.
202?
At The Connector in Atlanta, Certified Master Chef Shular spearheads an extraordinary partnership with Compass Group USA and Microsoft. He runs the only culinary school in North America connected to this innovative collaboration.
2023
Hosted the first season of Twisted Dish on AspireTV. In these 25 episodes, he remakes word famous dishes adding a twist.
2024
Invited by USDA to hold 2 masterclasses in Bulgaria at HRC Culinary Academy. There he shared his in-depth expertise on the versatility, sustainability, and premium quality of American American beef, and a 5-course menu for “Modern Southern American Cuisine”.
2025
Opening new restaurant Shular Tasting Room, featuring a 5 course chef’s menu.
Invited by USDA to hold two workshops in Dubai. They will showcase the quality and safety of US poultry, including chicken, duck and turkey.
An official judge for the 2025 US Culinary Open.
Hosting a 7 day Culinary Experience aboard the Azamara Pursuit, as she cruises to Greece, Turkey, and Italy.
Opening Soon: Shular Tasting Room
Where food becomes an exquisite experience in the heart of luxury.
Soon, you will be able to make a reservation with us, through OpenTable.
Understanding and respecting the science of cooking
“We focus on the science of cooking, so that students can really respect Mother Nature, seasonality, and flavor profile.”
– Master Chef Daryl Shular