Phoenix chef Glenn Humphrey, who most recently worked as Placement Director at Arizona Culinary Institute, died earlier this month. The chef's passing means the loss of a mentor and friend to countless Arizona chefs, who Humphrey influenced during his career as an educator in the state.
Humphrey taught at culinary schools in the Valley for more than twenty years -- first at the Scottsdale Culinary Institute from 1993 to 2001, and later at Arizona Culinary Institute from 2001 to 2015.
He was also an active member of the Chefs Association of Arizona, as well as the Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP). His many connections within the culinary field helped him achieve near-95 percent job placement rate for the graduating chefs at Arizona Culinary Institute.
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Raised in Connecticut, Humphrey graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 1974. After completing culinary school, he traveled the world working at country clubs, hotels, restaurants, and cruise ships.
In addition to mentoring future chefs, the chef co-authored the book Creating Chefs: A Journey Through Culinary School. He also appeared on Food Network's "Dinner: Impossible."
Humphrey's friends, family, and former students are invited to a Celebration of Life at the East Valley Institute of Technology (1601 West Main Street, Mesa) on Sunday, March 1 from 1 to 4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Humphrey's family has requested that donations be made to the GlennStrong GoFundMe page.
