Meet the chefs
September 21, 2020
Chartwells celebrated UAF's chefs last week. Meet the people who keep the Fairbanks
campus well-fed and well-nourished!
Tyler Newell, executive chef
Tyler Newell was running a saute station when he was 14, before he was even allowed to drive. Having attended Montana State University and the Culinary Institute of America, he experienced several career highlights, such as being one the executive chefs for the Beijing Olympics, the executive chef for two Super bowls and a Breeders' Cup, catering popular productions like "Lost," "Hawaii Five-O" and "Battleship," and even cooking for the former President Obama, the Dalai Lama and the Prince of Dubai. Beyond the culinary world, Newell is a husband and father and enjoys skiing, biking and scuba diving. He moved to Fairbanks in April 2018 and has worked with Chartwells for over two years.
Mccayla McLaughlin, lead baker
Mccayla McLaughlin moved from Missouri nearly 10 years ago and began her career with Chartwells in 2019. She is the lead baker for Dine 49 and Grab Goodness. Her hobbies include arts and crafts, candle making, and cake decorating.
Bogdan Mihalache, lead sous chef
Bogdan Mihalache was born and raised in Romania, where he began his culinary career when he was 16 years old in a restaurant called La Mama. After four years working as a prep cook and dish washer, he moved to Italy where he became sous chef for Fol Garia, a restaurant in the Park Hotel Miramonti. In 2011, he moved to Fairbanks working as a sous chef at the Westmark Hotel and in 2016 began working at Chartwells. Beyond the culinary arts, Mihalache enjoys FIFA 21 and plans to be first in line for the new Playstation 5. He also enjoys swimming and playing soccer. Fun fact: Mihalache has an identical twin who works as a chef in Germany.
Amanda Erickson, cook
Amanda Erickson has been with Chartwells for five years. She started as a dish room attendant and has since worked as a barista, Grab Goodness cook, catering cook and more. She has lived most her life in Alaska, but spent about five years in Las Vegas. Her favorite cuisines involve moose and caribou, salmon dishes, and chicken parmesan.
Kevin Krugle, cook
Kevin Krugle moved to Fairbanks from the Caribbean six years ago with his wife of 29 years. As a fellow Nanook, he graduated from the culinary arts program through the UAF Community and Technical College and has worked at Chartwells for over three years. His favorite hobbies are smoking meats and baking, and he also enjoys home repair projects and biking.