Course Listing - by Instructor

Giorgi Di Lemis, a native Italian, was previously corporate vice president of food & beverage for White Lodging Hotels, Benchmark Hotels and Resorts, Gaylord Hotels and Resorts, Wyndham Resort Hotels and has held several leadership positions with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. In this role, he led various professional teams in the conceptualization, design and development of several cutting-edge food & beverage venues.

He launched his food and beverage career in Europe, working for Hotel Rigel in his hometown of Venice, Peppermint Park in London, and for Hilton Hotels in Athens Greece and Istanbul Turkey. Giorgi is presently limited partner to 6 restaurants with Restaurant Works, based in Dallas and he is the proprietor of Di Lemis Restaurant Concepts. Giorgi is also a Business Advisor for S.C.O.R.E. organization, providing guidance for small businesses and start-ups.

Giorgi Di Lemis is a graduate of the Accademia di Venezia, Ca' Foscari of Venice, Italy. He is a certified Hotel Executive through A.H.M.A. Mr. Di Lemis has participated in numerous leadership, marketing and culinary training programs within the United States and Italy. He is a member of the President's Club for Toastmasters International, of the prestigious Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, the renowned Slow Food Movement of Milan, Italy, the World Association of Chefs Societies and Board Member for Hotel F&B Magazine. Giorgi Di Lemis is living in Fairhope AL.

In January 2023, Kala fused her love of the classroom and the kitchen and began offering bread classes. Since then, she has taught over 1,350 people how to bake bread from scratch. She never imagined so many people would love to learn to bake bread, but she is thrilled to continue offering a life-skill that has formed a beautiful community of bakers.

It all began in a camp kitchen. Kala's parents directed a children's camp, and Kala was raised making food for hundreds of people every week. That experience formed her belief that making good food is a way to bless others and bring people together. But baking bread quickly became her favorite part of the kitchen.

She earned her BA and MA in English and was an educator in the classroom for seven years. She chose to stay home with her babies and stepped out of the classroom, but carried her skills with her. For years friends and family suggested Kala open a baking business. After COVID and a lot of time at home baking with her daughter, Kala decided it was worth a try. In 2022, Kala participated in a local farmer's market and took baking orders for the first time. She was blown away by the response and baked over 1,000 loaves for people that year. One day at the market someone suggested she teach classes. That suggestion sparked an idea that became The Bread House.

Robert D. Leier received his Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University in international development education and his M.A. from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in TESOL, bilingual education and applied linguistics. His undergraduate degree is in Biology and Chemistry.

Dr. Leier has taught undergraduate and graduate courses since 1991 in the areas of technology and media for ESOL, applied linguistics, second language acquisition, methods in ESOL, bicultural and bilingual education, assessment in ESOL, music for ESOL, multicultural and social foundations of education. He has also served as chair or as committee member for over 50 graduate and doctoral degree students, and more than 60 graduate certificate students.

He also has taught ESOL at all proficiency levels form beginners through advanced and for grades 5 through adult in public and private schools. Additionally he has directed and taught in a family literacy program for Central Americans and taught workplace literacy skills to high school and adult students. Dr. Leier has also tutored students in preparation to take the IELTS and TOEFL examinations.

Dr. Leier is proficient in Spanish and has studied several other languages such as Portuguese, Italian, French, German, Armenian, Ilokano and Maya Quiche. He has served as a Peace Corp volunteer in Guatemala, El Salvador and Philippines. He has lived and worked in 8 countries and has served as an U.S. Department of State English Language Fellow in Colombia, Armenia, Republic of Georgia (virtually), and Latvia.