Executive Chef Mark Kowalski

Mark developed a love for the food industry early in his life growing up in Nanticoke, PA. He worked in his family's retail bakery for many years, which led him to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. After completing his bachelor of science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at East Stroudsburg University, Mark attended the Culinary Institute of America, which included an internship at Penn State. During the 18-week internship, Mark worked in most of the campus dining commons, the bakery, and assisted in catering during home football games. Prior to his current position at Penn State, Mark was a sous chef at Starwood Hotels Caesars Brookdale on the Lake, a 92-room family resort. While working at Brookdale, the smallest of the Pocono resorts, Mark was promoted to sous chef at Caesars Pocono Palace, which has 189 rooms and a nine-hole golf course.