Candy Lesher (formally Schermerhorn) has devoted a lifetime to the pursuit of culinary related skills, knowledge and excellence. Ms. Lesher first entered the professional culinary world when she opened “Chantilly Cheesecake and Savory Fare,” a successful made-to-order bakery. Owning and operating this unique bakery and Victorian Tea shop provided Ms. Lesher with the invaluable experience and indispensable business savvy that catapulted her into the role of instructor, television personality, consultant, author, and eventually, editor-in-chief of food & life magazine plus host and executive producer of food & life television.

A self-taught chef, she was entranced by cooking with both wine and beer, Ms. Lesher recognized a gap in the knowledge of the later, and so began writing and consulting for the Association of Brewers in 1990. Through this experience she penned the award winning “Great American Beer Cookbook” published in 1994, containing over 200 original recipes created by Ms. Lesher. Originally sold in six countries, the book established Ms. Lesher as a world authority on cooking utilizing classic beers styles in the early days of the microbrewing renaissance; the book garnered exceptional reviews on a national and international basis. Three months after the release of her book, Ms. Lesher was honored by having it featured at New York City’s American Institute of Wine and Food Annual Conference with recipes from her book served at their annual gala banquet.

Ms. Lesher further demonstrated her culinary abilities through association with some of this country’s most successful and fastest growing microbrewing companies in the early '90's, including Pete’s Brewing Company. As the culinary consultant for their aggressive beer and cuisine campaign, she was personally credited with assisting in their phenomenal growth.

As a paid culinary consultant for the Association of Brewers, which includes the Institute for Brewing Studies and Brewers Publications, she created many nationally acclaimed banquets throughout the U.S. In addition, she was sought by IDG, publisher of the highly successful For Dummies series of books. Their book, Beer for Dummies, includes a chapter of 10 brew-enhanced recipes created by Ms. Lesher.

Ms. Lesher is a veteran instructor, having conducted over 600 cooking classes both locally and nationally, including such locations as the prestigious “Cooking School of the Rockies” in Boulder, Colorado. It was through these classes that Ms. Lesher became a popular addition to Phoenix’s NBC affiliate, KPNX-TV Channel 12 for over eleven years. Off screen, those years were spent renovating a historic building to house her restaurant and brewery, then later assisting in the development and launch of food & life magazine (originally AZ Food & Lifestyles magazine), where she was ultimately offered the position of editor-in-chief.

Ms. Lesher is, once again, stretching her wings. Since November of 2003, she has not only shouldered her duties as Editor-in-Chief, but taken on the role of both host and executive producer of the successful show, food & life television, where she follows her passion… "Bringing the pages of food & life magazine to life" for viewers. Since its inception, the show aired on AZTV, but as of March 5, has moved to NBC affiliate KPNX-TV 12; the show can now be seen every Sunday at 4:00.

When asked what she enjoys most about the business side of life, Ms. Lesher didn't hesitate… "It's the opportunity to showcase those independent and resort chefs, restaurants, and businesses that give our Valley and state its culinary character."