Kelsee Newman
Pastry Kitchen Supervisor
Seelbach Hilton Hotel
Born and raised in Evansville, Indiana, Kelsee Newman developed a passion for food at a young age. The passion grew into an appetite for an education in culinary arts, which was fulfilled with an Associate’s Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts from the National Center for Hospitality Studies at Sullivan University. Her training in pastry arts was held primarily under the guidance of Chef Scott Turner. Chef Turner encouraged Kelsee to study and master skills in chocolate, pastillage, and sugar work.
While a student, Kelsee began her career as a pastry chef, working at Limestone Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky. During this time, Kelsee was also working as an assistant instructor at Sullivan University. It was at Sullivan that she discovered the thrill of pastry competition. She began competing in several local and regional ACF competitions, which eventually led to competing in the IKA World Culinary Olympics in 2012 in Erfurt, Germany. Kelsee has participated and medaled in the following competitions:
- ACF Southeast Regional Student Team competition 2011- Silver Medal
- ACF Nashville competition 2011, Petit Fours- Gold Medal
- ACF Michigan competition 2012, Chocolate showpiece- Gold Medal
- ACF Cincinnati competition 2012, Chocolate showpiece- Gold Medal
- IKA World Culinary Olympics 2012, Chocolate showpiece- Bronze Medal
Kelsee is currently working as the Pastry Kitchen Supervisor at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel in Downtown Louisville, Kentucky. She is also finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Management at Sullivan University. Pastry competition continues to be a priority for Kelsee in an effort to maintain and develop her skills while remaining current with today’s trends.
Scott Turner, CEC, CEPC, CHE
Associate Chair & Professor Baking and Pastry Arts
Sullivan University
Chef Scott Turner’s career in foodservice began in equipment installation and repair on the East Coast. Chef Turner received exceptional training and knowledge in Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry through the NCHS. His training in Pastry Arts was held primarily under the guidance of Certified Master Pastry Chef Walter “Spud” Rhea. He participated in regional culinary competitions. During his career, Chef Turner was awarded both gold and silver medals in competition by the American Culinary Federation. Additional training has included time spent with Chef Ewald Notter in the study of chocolate, sugar, and pastillage.
Chef Turner worked in some of the finer restaurants in Louisville. A major opportunity arose with the opening of a new resort on Grand Cayman Island in the British West Indies. Chef Turner took on the role of Executive Pastry Chef for the Westin Casuarina Resort. After returning from the Caribbean, the desire to develop and open a restaurant was overwhelming. That desire was realized through the opening of an upscale restaurant in LaGrange, Kentucky. Chef Turner had the opportunity to design, build, open, and operate his own restaurant.
Chef Turner’s hard work and passion paid off through the success of the restaurant. While developing the business, Chef Turner worked as a Chef Consultant and Marketing Associate with SYSCO\Louisville Foodservice. It was a challenge acting as chef and owner of a restaurant while working for such a large corporation at the same time. In March 2001, Chef Turner came to Sullivan University as a Chef Instructor, and a new passion was realized through teaching. He has taught in all of the programs within the Baking and Pastry curriculum but has a primary emphasis and finds his true passion in chocolate work. Every day as a faculty member, Chef Turner re-lives that first moment of passion through the eyes and hearts of the students attending Sullivan University. Chef Turner holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Education.