Bio
Andrew “Kappy” Kaplan is a trusted culinary, hospitality, food service industry, food media and philanthropy professional. A professionally trained chef, Kaplan is VP of Culinary Operations for the Rachael Ray brand and is the Co-Founder and Director of Yum-o!, Rachael Ray’s nonprofit organization focused on cooking education and ending childhood hunger in America. He is also the Host and Executive Producer of the Beyond the Plate™ and Clean Plate Club podcasts, and the Founder and CEO of Culinary Advisors LLC, a strategic culinary advisory service.
As Host and Executive Producer of Beyond the Plate, Kaplan sits down with the world’s culinary elite to explore their journeys into the industry and the thoughtful and innovative ways that they make a social impact in their communities. A father of twins, himself, he is also the Host and Executive Producer of Clean Plate Club, a podcast for kids and grown-ups that offers an engaging lineup of nutritious and delicious recipes to inspire cooks of all ages.
Prior to working with Rachael Ray, Kaplan served as a project manager for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, overseeing its headline events, including Kidz Kitchen and Burger Bash, while also producing the celebrity chef cooking demonstrations. Kaplan has also provided freelance support in production for additional food and wine events in major US markets as well as in China, Italy, Jamaica, and Mexico, such as the annual Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, Colorado and the Chicago Entertaining Showcase.
Kaplan is a professionally trained chef, earning his culinary degree from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA); a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Florida International University (FIU); and has deepened his background in nonprofit management as an attendee of the Stanford Nonprofit Management Institute.
Committed to community service and furthering culinary and food industry education and research, Kaplan serves on the Leadership Council for Share Our Strength and the Chef Corps for World Central Kitchen.