Harmons Cooking School

Chef Sterling West

Chef Sterling West’s interest in cooking started during his time in the United States Army. Traveling around the world, he fell in love with different flavors, techniques, and the stories behind them. Those experiences still influence the way he cooks today.

After retiring from the military, he attended culinary school with the goal of becoming a better home cook. While he was there, he was invited to stay on and help teach, working with chefs on how to share their skills with others. After a few years of encouragement from those around him, he decided to step fully into teaching himself.

As someone who values quality and freshness, Chef Sterling has always been a Harmons customer. Being able to teach under the Harmons standard of excellence and use the very best ingredients is something he finds especially meaningful. For him, great ingredients are the foundation of a great experience.

He enjoys teaching a variety of subjects, but especially loves working with proteins. While he doesn’t stick to just one type of cuisine, he often finds himself leaning toward Mexican and South American flavors when he’s cooking.

For Chef Sterling, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching is helping people realize that cooking isn’t as difficult as it might seem. He enjoys seeing that moment when uncertainty turns into confidence and understanding, something he experienced firsthand while teaching at the Department of Corrections. His goal is for every class to leave customers excited to cook again, confident in their skills, and eager to share the experience with others. He also hopes they walk away with a deeper appreciation for the quality Harmons offers and make it their new standard.

When he’s not in the kitchen, Chef Sterling enjoys spending time with his family and being outdoors.