Official Judges 2025

U.S. Culinary Open Official Judge

Official Judge Bio

Chef Natasha Daniel

The drive and curiosity to learn about food; where it comes from, how it’s prepared, and how it’s served to guests are what have led me to a rich and varied background in the foodservice industry. Learning and working with talented Research chefs, Certified Master chefs, and Michelin-Starred chefs; becoming the youngest and first female chef on the RATIONAL USA Corporate Chef Team; and being chosen as one of 5 chefs from our Global Chef Team of over 550 to be memorialized and published in our 50th Years RATIONAL Anniversary Book, have all cultivated my passion for food and sharing that passion with others.

I am an experienced food professional with a varied background in restaurants, hotels, clubs, consumer products, food business and entrepreneurship, and corporate training. Skilled in Food Product Development, Marketing, and Project Management with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused on Culinary Nutrition Product Development and Dietetics from Johnson & Wales University and soon to be the first ever Master’s in Professional Studies in Culinary Arts graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.

U.S. Culinary Open Official Judge

Official Judge Bio

Chef Kevin Walker CMC

J. Kevin Walker, CMC, AAC is the former Executive Chef of Ansley Golf Club in Atlanta, Ga. He began his culinary career at The Arizona Biltmore before attending The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y., where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He has successfully served as the Executive Chef of the Lafayette Club in Minnesota and at Greenville (S.C.) Country Club.

Chef Walker became the Executive Chef of Cherokee Town & Country Club in Atlanta in 2002 and in that same year achieved the Certified Master Chef (CMC) designation. The CMC designation is the highest level of certification a chef can achieve. It represents the pinnacle of professionalism and skill, and today, there are less than 70 CMCs in the U.S..

After spending nine years as Cherokee T&CC’s Executive Chef, where he helped the club build an outstanding culinary program, Chef Walker moved to Indian Wells, Calif., to be the Executive Chef of the exclusive Vintage Club in 2011. After realizing three years later that he and his wife missed being close to family, he moved back east to become Director of Clubhouse Operations at Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, N.C.

Chef Walker has trained many talented young chefs to become successful Executive Chefs at many top-tier clubs nationwide. With his wealth of experience and knowledge, he has also won many national culinary awards during his career. He was named National Chef of the Year in 2007, received the American Culinary Federation’s Presidential Award in 2009, and has won multiple Gold Medals at national culinary competitions. He has also been an accomplished coach and manager; he coached Daniel Gorman at the Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Chefs Competition in Turkey.

Chef Walker enjoys spending his free time with his family: wife Betsy, three grandchildren, and three dogs. He also enjoys training for and competing in triathlons.

U.S. Culinary Open Official Judge

Official Judge Bio

Chef Russell Scott CMC

Russell is the Corporate Chef and Vice President of Culinary for The Middleby Corporation in Lewisville Texas. There he oversees all operations for the new 40,000 sq. ft. Middleby Innovation Kitchens. Prior to his position with Middleby Corp. Russell was Culinary Director for The Club at Carlton Woods, in the Woodlands Texas, overseeing all food production at two clubhouses distinct properties. He was also Director of Clubhouse Operations at The Everglades in Palm Beach, Florida where he was responsible for the overall food and beverage service at the Club.Russell was Dean of Education for The Culinary Institute of America (CIA) at Greystone, responsible for the quality and effectiveness of all education programs at the college’s campus in St. Helena, California. The position included overseeing the faculty and staff while directing the development and delivery of the curriculum and support of students enrolled in the college’s degree and certificate programs at Greystone. Additional professional experience includes Executive Chef at Isleworth Golf and Country Club in Windermere, Florida, the Hotel Nikko in Los Angeles and the Virginia Country Club in Long Beach, California. He has held various chef positions at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles; The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, FL; The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia and the Carambola Beach Resort in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Russell is also a partner at Gore-Scott Hospitality, a professional food service consultant group. The American Culinary Federation (ACF) honored Russell Scott as the USA’s Chef of the Year™ for 2008. Representing the United States in the Global Chefs Challenge the following year, he placed second among chefs from throughout the Americas. The ACF presented him with the organization’s Chef Professionalism Award in 2011. Chef Scott was a member of Culinary Team USA, winner of two gold medals and the world championship in hot food at the International Culinary Olympics in Germany in 2004. As captain of CIA Culinary Team 2000, he earned three gold medals at the Hotelympia competition in London and five silver medals at the Culinary Olympics. Chef Scott was also captain of the California Culinary Olympic Team which won four gold, four silver, and two bronze medals at the 1996 Culinary Olympics. He was a gold medal winner at the 1998 Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg as a member of the United States Culinary Team. A Certified Master Chef (CMC) and certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), Chef Scott is an active member of the ACF and Club Managers of America. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in alternative medicine from Everglades University in Altamonte Springs, Florida and an Associate in Science degree in culinary arts from the Community College of Allegheny County in Pittsburgh, PA. He also studied baking and pastry at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI and served apprenticeships with the ACF Culinary Apprenticeship Program in Pittsburgh and at the famed Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

U.S. Culinary Open Official Judge

Official Judge Bio

Chef Daryl Shular CMC

Master Chef Daryl L. Shular is not only one of the most talented and respected chefs in the country, but he is also one of America’s elite History Makers!  In 2014 Chef Shular etched his name in the culinary history books by becoming the first African American and minority to successfully pass the grueling 130-hour; eight day test known as the Master Chef exam. After years of preparation and personal sacrifice Chef Shular prevailed and earned the culinary industry’s highest honor, the designation known as Certified Master Chef (CMC).

Shular has been recognized and featured in many media publications, including the prestigious American historical archives “The History Makers”. His induction into The History Makers in 2005 made Chef Shular one of the youngest ever and one of only a few African-American chefs elected for this achievement.

The Southern born Chef remains humble and continues to make it his mission to assist in the creation of future CMC’s throughout America. He is consistently on tour throughout the US to empower culinary students to not just follow in his footsteps, but to go beyond.  He often tells his listeners “that while the ACF CMC exam is the most challenging culinary skills test in the world, it’s something I’ve pursued my entire career. It simply shows that if you are determined and believe in yourself, dreams can and will come true”. This has become the staple of his presentations to young, aspiring Chefs throughout the world.

As if earning the status of CMC isn’t enough, Chef Shular has a history of embracing challenges and overcoming the odds.  As a member of the American Culinary Federation since 1993, he has received over twelve gold medals and eight “Best in Shows” in local and national and competitions. Additionally, in 2008 Chef Shular was a member of the internationally recognized ACF United States Culinary Olympic Team, the official culinary regional team representing the United States in international culinary competitions. The team achievement was an Olympic Gold Medal, winning top honors against 63 teams at the IKA “Culinary Olympics” held every four years in Erfurt, Germany. His achievement, dedication, talent, and leadership ability earned him the position of team captain for the ICS International Culinary Regional Team that competed at the Culinary Olympics in 2012.

Currently, Chef Shular is kicking off an online culinary course, working on his first recipe book, and even a television show displaying his skills and continuing his mission to teach others how to live a healthy life style while still enjoying the art of culinary cuisines! He has earned the respect due a Master Chef and he continues to make historical trails.

Shular resides in Atlanta, GA with his wife, Michelle, and their three daughters.