Chef Chris Palar

Meet the Staff

Chef Chris Palar

Chef Chris Palar is one of the more “experienced” chef instructors on the ici^® team. He has been in the food service industry since his high school years and has been on the DMACC staff since 1993. His mission is total customer service and satisfaction in all that he does. Chris graduated from Iowa State University with a BS in the Hotel/Restaurant/Institution Management. While attending college, he worked at high volume restaurants and knew that the food industry was a good fit for him.

After college, he accepted a back of the house food production management position with the Marriott Hotel Corp. where he experienced lots of personal and professional growth. Managing two restaurants and a large banquet and convention venue you learn in the line of fire. After a few years Chris was offered an executive chef position at the Des Moines Convention Center which specialized in catered events from 10 to 2,500. Preparing food in large quantity became his specialty.

Chef Palar remained in the industry for 16 years serving as Executive Chef in other hotel settings and finally as Food Service Director at the Iowa State Center working for the Iowa State Memorial Union. While at the Iowa State Center, Chris was asked to teach the Food Service Purchasing class at DMACC as an Adjunct Instructor. Five years later, he joined the staff in the Hospitality/Culinary Arts department. After instructing most of the culinary classes offered, he has found his calling teaching in the ici® Bistro which provides “real industry feel” as students prepare dishes for the public.