YOUR MENTORS
Meet the experts behind Global Academy of Culinary, Baking and Pastry Arts
The Global Academy of Culinary, and Baking and Pastry Arts team is composed of dedicated professionals with the primary goal of providing you with a dated educational experience that not only builds your knowledge and skills but also your character.
Our team is led by internationally accomplished culinary professionals with successful years of experience in technical education. The entire Global team is united by the values of Passion, Reliability, Integrity, Commitment and Excellence.

Chef Benjamin N. Ledesma Jr.
Chef Benny is Global Academy’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He has been the acknowledged preeminent founder of the School and has been its backbone and pillar since its establishment more than ten years back. His education and experience, both as an entrepreneur and practitioner, are his most valuable assets that distinguished him in Global Academy’s becoming a premier culinary institution that it is today. Chef Benny earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts at Le Cordon Bleu, in Australia. And in his desire to even exalt to delectable taste of what one will serve on the table, he also took up wine studies in Adelaide and the Barossa Valley, two regions in Australia famed for their exceptional wines and fermentation. Before coming back home, and just like the other methodical chefs, he went through the toils and tests of kitchen and dining that led him to acquiring remarkable aptitude in cooking and restaurant management. His mastery of both the front and back of the house had taken him to renowned addresses in Australia, among them the Westin, Hilton and Rushcutters Bay Hotels. All these years that he has been managing Global Academy, among other businesses, and the important accolades that earned by the School under his watch, have indeed earmarked the School as a strong and dynamic training ground of future chefs with global standards.
Awards and Recognitions
- TESDA Commercial Cooking NC-II holder

Chef Michael A. Yap
- World Association of Chefs Societies Certified Culinary Arts and Hot Kitchen Competition Judge - Continental Passsport - 2014 to Present
- World Association of Chefs Societies Global Culinary Certification Assessor 2013 to 2015 - Commis and Chef de Partie Levels
- Silver Medal – Western Hot Cooking Professional, Red Mullet and Prawns Category, Hong Kong International Culinary Classic 2007
- Bronze Medal – New Asian Cuisine Category, Food Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge, Singapore 2008
- Highest Gold Medal – Coach: Young Chefs Team Challenge, Philippine Culinary Cup 2010
- Highest Gold Medal – Coach: Young Chefs Team Challenge, Philippine Culinary Cup 2011
- Highest Gold Medal – Coach: Western Hot Cooking Apprentice, Canadian Beef Short Ribs, Hong Kong International Culinary Classic 2011
- Bronze Medal – Western Hot Cooking Professional, US Organic Whole Chicken Category, Hong Kong International Culinary Classic 2011
- Silver Medal – Seize-A-Salad Category, FHA Culinary Challenge, Singapore 2012
- Gold Medal – Coach: Young Chefs Team Challenge, Philippine Culinary Cup 2012
- Team Manager – Global Academy Culinary Team, Philippine Culinary Cup Overall Champion 2013
- Silver Medal – Butcher and the Chef, Philippine Culinary Cup 2013
- Silver Medal – Coach: Dream Team, Philippine Culinary Cup 2013
- Bronze Medal – US Poultry, Philippine Culinary Cup 2013
- Team Manager – Global Academy Culinary Team, Philippine Culinary Cup Overall Champion 2014
- Gold Medal – Coach: Dream Team, Philippine Culinary Cup 2014
- Silver Medal – Butcher and the Chef, Philippine Culinary Cup 2014
- Bronze Medal – Coach: Dream Team, Philippine Culinary Cup 2015
- Lead Kitchen Manager - Madrid Fusion Manila 2015
- Highest Gold Medal – Western Hot Cooking Professional - Sous Vide Cooking, Organic Chicken, Hong Kong International Culinary Classic 2017
- Co-Kitchen Manager - Madrid Fusion Manila 2017
- Gold Medal - Coach - Hans Bueschkens World Junior Chefs Challenge 2019, Asian Regional Semifinals, Bangkok Thailand
- TESDA Commercial Cooking NC-II, NC-III & NC-IV Holder
- Working Group Member, Technical Development, TESDA NC-III Commercial Cooking

Chef Victor P. Sanchez
- Certified National Assessor and Trainer of TESDA
- TESDA Commercial Cooking NC-IV holder
- TESDA Commercial Cooking NC-III Holder
- Bronze Medal in the Sous Vide Category in the 2015 Philippine Culinary Cup
- Silver – Sous Vide, Philippine Culinary Cup 2014
- Highest Gold Medal – Filipino Cuisine, Philippine Culinary Cup 2013
- Highest Gold Medal for PCC 2013 Filipino Category
- Silver Medal – Coach: Filipino Cuisine Team Challenge, Philippine Culinary Cup 2012
- Bronze Medal – Coach: Filipino Cuisine Team Challenge Category, Philippine Culinary Cup 2011
- Silver Medal – Coach: Filipino Cuisine Team Challenge Category, Philippine Culinary Cup 2010

Chef Abigail Y. Almeda
- Coach for Gold Medalist, First Philippine Culinary Cup 2010
- Gold Medal – Amuse Bouche, Philippine Culinary Cup 2014
- Bronze Medal – Local Seafood, Philippine Culinary Cup 2014
- Coach of Silver Medal Awardee, Maverick Javier for Creative Breakfast in the 2015 Philippine Culinary Cup
- Coach of Gold Medal Awardee, Rochelle Estoy for Creative Breakfast in the 2017 Philippine Culinary Cup
- Coach of Gold Medal Awardees for the Dream Team Challenge in the 2017 Philippine Culinary Cup
- Coach of Silver Medal Awardee for Young Chefs Team Category in the 2017 Philippine Culinary Cup

Chef Rogel Alberto
- Gold Medal – U.S. Pork, Philippine Culinary Cup 2016
- Gold Medal – Sous Vide, Philippine Culinary Cup 2017
- Bronze Medal – Filipino Cuisine Challenge, Philippine Culinary Cup 2017

Chef Cecille Louise R. Bundoc
- Bronze medal, Fantasy Dessert and Plated Dessert Categories, Philippine Culinary Cup 2015

Chef Enrique Manuel H. Yoingco
- Coach, Philippine Culinary Cup Competition, August 2014, Silver Medal, Pasta Category
- Servsafe Training and Proctoring, June 2014
- Food Styling, January- December 2013, Saisaki, Kamayan, Dad’s, Something Fishy, Sambokojin, Yumi, Munchtown
- Product Development Chef, October-November 2013, Hunt’s Pork and Beans
- Kitchen Manager, August 2012 and 2013, Philippine Culinary Cup, Manila
- Bronze Medalist, Western Display: Professional – Plated Appetizers, May 2011, Hong Kong International Culinary Classic, Hong Kong
- Coach, 1st Philippine Culinary Cup Competition, August 2010, Silver Medal, Filipino Cuisine Challenge
- Silver Medalist, New Asian Cuisine, April 2008, Food and Hotel Asia, Singapore
- The Academy for International Culinary Arts, May-June 2005,
- Certified Training and Assessor Manager (AMTM), TESDA
- Commercial Cooking, National Certificate II and IV, TESDA
- Registered Instructor and Proctor for Servsafe International
- ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification
- Professional Cooking, ProMgt® Development Program
- Coach of Gold Medal Awardee, Karen Dimanarig for Pasta in the 2015 Philippine Culinary Cup
- Coach of Silver Medal Awardee, Marvie Dela Cruz for Pasta in the 2017 Philippine Culinary Cup
- Coach of Silver Medal Awardee, Karelle Chavez for US Beef in the 2017 Philippine Culinary Cup

Chef Melanie Rodriguez
- Gold Medal - Elle en Vire French Touch, Philippine Culinary Cup 2018
- Gold Medal - Creative Breakfast Category, Philippine Culinary Cup 2018

Chef Angela Ventura-Bulatao
Chef Angela’s academic and career history is a testament of her high regard for the arts, and for continuous education. From her degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration at the University of the Philippines, she pursued an Associate Diploma in Hospitality Management at the Hotel Management School Les Roches in Switzerland. After years of working in hospitality, customer service, and education, she soon found her way back to kitchen, garnering a Diploma in Professional Baking and Pastry Arts at Global Academy. Since then, this diamond-in-the-rough quickly rose with brilliance, applying her well-rounded academic achievements onto the baking and pastry industry.
When time came for Chef Angela to develop future kitchen successes, she joined Global Academy as a Chef Instructor. Later on, she was up the ladder taking on the position of Baking and Pastry Arts Program Head before deciding to take a brief work hiatus. She has since joined Global Academy, again as a Pastry Chef Instructor.
Through the years and with the support of Global Academy, she participated in several bread and pastry workshops to further hone her skills and techniques. As an educator, she has mentored, lead, inspired, and propelled aspiring Baking and Pastry Arts enthusiasts, workers, and entrepreneurs toward their goals and the fulfillment of their dreams and aspirations.
Awards and Recognitions
- National Certificate II - Bread and Pastry Production, TESDA
- Bronze Medalist - Live High Tea Set Competition - 2017 Hong Kong International Culinary Classics
- Bronze Medalist - Live High Tea Set Competition - 2013 Philippine Culinary Cup
- Silver Medalist - Plated Desserts Display - 2012 Philippine Culinary Cup

Chef Lady Lorredo
Chef Lady's culinary, baking, and pastry arts journey began with her enrollment in the Superior Diploma program of Global Academy in 2014. Her training provided her with a comprehensive understanding of a diverse range of culinary, baking, and modern cooking techniques. Her professional career is characterized by versatility and dedication to her craft.
Currently, Chef Lady serves as a Chef and Owner at her own catering business, where she collaborates closely with her business partner to offer menu suggestions and food packages. She is also Chef and Owner at THE BAKING BUG LADY, operating a thriving home-based business that specializes in crafting custom cakes and pastries.
From 2016 and 2018, Chef Lady worked at Faena Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida, USA, where she was responsible for daily production and service at the renowned LOS FUEGOS restaurant of celebrity chef Francis Mallmann. Mentorship of new interns and crafting entremets were among notable contributions to the culinary team. Her apprenticeship at Wildflour Café + Bakery in 2015 demanded a diverse array of responsibilities both as a prep cook and a line cook, an experience that helped developed her adaptability and versatile kitchen skills.
Beyond her culinary journey, Chef Lady's prior experience in the corporate sector as Deputy Manager for Training and Quality at IBM Philippines underlines her managerial proficiency and holistic approach to professional development. This experience also laid the foundation for her innate teaching ability.
Chef Lady teaches in the Baking and Pastry Arts program of Global Academy. As a Servsafe-certified Food Protection Manager, instructor and proctor, she also oversees the Servsafe International Certification program offerings of the school.

Jocelyn Tapales Antipuesto
Ms. Josie, GA’s School Registrar is a dynamic professional who has chosen the field of education as her battlefield. Setting off her academic exposure as a Day Care Teacher, she came to admire the milieu and ventured out to other academic related positions. She joined STI primarily as Administrative Officer and due to her initiative to learn, was promoted as Registrar. Concurrent to her Registrar functions she taught intermittent Business Subjects and covered NSTP activities. Her earned bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, coupled with her accounting and programming knowledge helped her become effective in her college-teaching position. As a Registrar, she is equipped with numerous training for Registrars and sees to it that she is updated with the trends and essentials of her profession. Her years in service have given her a view of the whole academic perspective as well as ample maturity to empathize with students and parents, enabling her to come up with a win-win solution on any given situation.

Jainie Rose C. Ual
With over a decade of experience in student career management, Jainie Ual serves as the Internship and Career Assistance Officer at Global Culinary & Hospitality Academy. Since joining the institution in 2013, Jainie has been instrumental in coordinating and managing student internship placements, ensuring smooth collaboration between students and industry partners. Her hands-on approach includes facilitating internship orientations, preparing student documents, conducting site visits, and expanding the academy's network of trusted hotel, restaurant, and hospitality partners.
Jainie’s background in academic administration and student affairs equips her with a unique perspective on student success. Prior to her role at Global Academy, she held positions at Kester Grant College Philippines as a College Secretary and Student Affairs Officer, honing her skills in communication, administration, and student support.
Her goal is to bridge the gap between students and their professional aspirations by fostering relationships with industry leaders and ensuring Global Academy’s internship programs run seamlessly. Jainie’s dedication and passion for student development have made her a trusted mentor for many aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals.