About Me

In true European fashion, Klaus Tenbergen started his professional career in 1977 as an apprentice baker in Germany. He lived and worked in Germany, Namibia and Boputhatswana, before becoming the owner of a restaurant, bakery, confectionery and coffee shop in Pretoria, South Africa, from 1989-96.

He immigrated to the United States in 1996, where he owned a fine-dining restaurant in Peoria, Illinois. Tenbergen began his career as an educator in Chicago, Illinois where he honed his educational skills as the department chair of the Baking and Pastry degree program at Kendal College from 1998 to 2006.

He already had been awarded the title of Bäckermeister (Germany) and Master Baker (South Africa) while living abroad. Tenbergen added Certified Master Baker (RBA), Certified Executive Pastry Chef (ACF), Professional Baker (ASB) and Master Certified Food Executive (IFSEA) while living and working in the USA. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Kendall College in Chicago, Illinois, a master’s degree in management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tenbergen also obtained the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) with a concentration in educational leadership from California State University, Fresno.

Since August 2006, Tenbergen has been an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at California State University, Fresno. He teaches rigorous hands-on courses across a range of culinary and scientific areas that come together in the Culinology® program, which he leads as it’s director. The program blends culinary arts and food science, preparing students for leadership careers in the food industry and potential employment as Research Chefs or in related fields.

With Sarah R. Labensky, Eddy Van Damme and Priscilla Martel, Tenbergen co-authored “On Baking,” a textbook of baking and pastry fundamentals. He is writing a second textbook, to be published in 2011.

Tenbergen is a very erudite executive who serves on several local and national committees. He has received numerous professional awards, is a regular speaker, consultant, reviewer and researcher who writes for industry journals.