Branden Joshua Lewis (he/him)
Professor College of Food Innovation & Technology Interdisciplinary Food Studies Providence
Biography and Expertise
Chef Branden J. Lewis, EdD, is a professor at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, where he helps students turn a passion for food into meaningful, future-focused careers. With advanced training in culinary arts, international organizational leadership, and educational sustainability, Dr. Lewis prepares the next generation of food leaders to address real-world challenges in sustainability, food equity, and innovation.
A Certified Executive Chef with the American Culinary Federation and a Certified Mushroom Forager, Chef Lewis brings hands-on expertise in international and plant-based cuisines together with a systems-level understanding of the global food web. His teaching centers on experiential learning—connecting students directly with farmers, fishers, food businesses, and community organizations—so graduates leave with both practical skills and professional networks.
Since returning to his alma mater, Dr. Lewis has played a central role in shaping Johnson & Wales’ leadership in sustainable food education. He led the development of the Sustainable Food Systems Bachelor’s degree and the Culinary Sustainability minor and currently helps guide the MS in Food Systems Innovation & Leadership and the Graduate Certificate in Advanced Food Systems Studies. Across these programs, he mentors students in building careers that balance culinary excellence with environmental responsibility, social impact, and economic viability.
His work has been recognized nationally and regionally. He was named one of Edible Rhody magazine’s “Food Heroes” for his support of immigrant and refugee communities, appeared on Bizarre Foods America highlighting sustainably harvested seafood, and was featured in the 2024 documentary Against the Current. At Johnson & Wales, he has earned multiple honors, including the Distinguished Scholarship Award, Outstanding Service Award, Advisor of the Year, and the Robert M. Nograd Teacher of the Year Award.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Lewis serves on the Board of Directors for Farm Fresh RI and collaborates with industry and community partners to create pathways for students to make a lasting impact. His goal is simple: to help students use food as a force for positive change—locally and globally.
Education
EdD
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
MBA
Johnson & Wales University
BS
Johnson & Wales University
AS
Johnson & Wales University
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program
Hazing Prevention
Prevent.Zone
Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment Training
Johnson & Wales University
CMF–Certified Mushroom Forager
Mushroom Mountain
Certified Executive Chef (CEC)
American Culinary Federation
Food Safety Manager Certification (FSM)
FSP
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
CITI Certification
COLLABORATIVE INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING INITIATIVE (CITI PROGRAM)
CITI Certification
COLLABORATIVE INSTITUTIONAL TRAINING INITIATIVE
CITI Certification
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative
Hazing Prevention
Johnson & Wales University
15 Years of Service Award
Johnson & Wales University
CFIT Scholar Award
College of Food innovation & Technology
Classroom MVP Award
College of Food Innovation & Technology
MVP Mentor — Culinary Arts
Johnson & Wales University
Champion of Mentoring
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State
Honorary Chair: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State’s Annual Fundraiser–The Big Toast
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State
The Best of Rhode Island
RI Monthly Magazine
Honorary Chair: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State’s Annual Fundraiser–The Big Toast
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State
Honorary Chair: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State’s Annual Fundraiser–The Big Toast
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State
Distinguished Scholarship Award
Johnson & Wales University
Outstanding Service Award & Outstanding Service Award (2 awards)
Johnson & Wales University
Honorary Chair: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State’s Annual Fundraiser–The Big Toast
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State
Adviser of the Year
Johnson & Wales University
Oustanding Service Award
Johnson & Wales University
Program of the Year Award
Johnson & Wales University
Robert M. Nograd Teacher of the Year Award
Johnson & Wales University
Honorary Chair: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State’s Annual Fundraiser–The Big Toast
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State
Vollrath Award
Johnson & Wales University
Honorary Judge: IHeart Providence’s East Side vs. West Side Cooking Competition
IHeart Providence
Honorary Judge: Hood Dairy’s Annual Televised Cooking Competition
Johnson & Wales University
Edible Rhody Food Hero
Edible Rhody
JWU Practicum Pyramid Award
Johnson & Wales University
JWU MDP Program Acceptance
Johnson & Wales University
JWU Trustees’ Award
Johnson & Wales University
Junior Culinary Award
Johnson & Wales University
Special Functions Team Award
Johnson & Wales University
Morris J.W. Gaebe Outstanding Freshman Award
Johnson & Wales University
The Cosmic Perspective: Blue Zones (Podcast)
Culinary Now Podcast
March 28, 2025
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/culinary-now-podcast/id1490695277
Chef Interview (Internet)
Scoodinary.com
March 13, 2024
Scoodinary.com
Chef Careers & Sustainability Programs (Other)
Yellow Farmhouse Education Center
March 4, 2024
https://www.yellowfarmhouse.org/
Sustainable Seafood Documentary (TV)
Sustainable Seafood Documentary
October 20, 2023
I Tried Mason Jar Soup (Internet)
Self.com
October 13, 2023
https://www.self.com/story/i-tried-mason-jar-soup
American Culinary Federation
REAL Certificate Series Session #2
Oral Presentation
REAL Certification Series
JWU
Zoom
Providence
RI
REAL Certificate Series Session #2
Oral Presentation
REAL Certification Series
JWU
Zoom
Providence
RI
BBQ Judging
Competition Judging
Smithfield Smoketemberfest BBQ Competition
Smithfield Firefighters
Outdoors
Smithfield
RI
BBQ Judging
Competition Judging
Northeast Barbeque Society BBQ Competition
NBS
Outdoors
Pawtucket
RI
Tyson Culinary Training (five days)
Professional Training
Tyson Culinary Training
Tyson Foods
Tyson Springdale
Springdale
AK
United States
VIP Tasters: Passed Hors D Ouevres for those Fancy Events
Cooking Class Presentation & Workshop
UMASS Chef’s Conference
University of Massachusetts Amhurst
UMass Amhurst
Amhurst
MA
United States
Enduring Catch: Sustainable Seafood is on the Menu
Cooking Class Presentation & Workshop
UMASS Chef’s Conference
University of Massachusetts Amhurst
UMass Amhurst
Amhurst
MA
United States
“Food Systems/Sustainability on a Changing Planet” and “Advocacy in Planetary Health”
Panel Presentation
Planetary Health Symposium
Brown University-Division of Biology & Medicine
Brown University
Providence
RI
United States
REAL Training Presentation CHW
Lecture
REAL Training Presentation CFIT
JWU
Zoom
Learning the Ropes Panel: A Deep Dive into Seafood Literacy
Panel Moderation
FIT Symposium
CFIT
Harborside Campus
Providence
RI
United States
REAL Training Presentation CFIT
Lecture
REAL Training Presentation CFIT
JWU
Zoom
Cooking Asia Plating Workshop
Workshop
Cooking Asia Plating Workshop
Cooking Asia
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
BBQ Judging
Competition Judging
Smithfield Smoketemberfest BBQ Competition
Smithfield Firefighters
Outdoors
Smithfield
RI
Tyson Culinary Training (five days)
Professional Training
Tyson Culinary Training
Tyson Foods
Tyson Springdale
Springdale
AK
United States
Culinary Sustainability at JWU
Keynote/Plenary Address
Yellow Farmhouse Summer Institute
Yellow Farmhouse
Yellow Farmhouse
Stonington
CT
United States
Cooking the Catch: Sustainable Seafood is on the Menu
Demonstration
Educators
CCAP
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
Lacto-Fermentation Workshop
Demonstration
Farm Fresh Summer Series
Farm Fresh RI
Community Site
Providence
RI
United States
From Method to Mastery: Incorporating Grains into Menus for Change
Cooking Class Presentation & Workshop
UMASS Chef’s Conference
University of Massachusetts Amhurst
UMass Amhurst
Amhurst
MA
United States
Plant-based Planet: Inspiring Foods from Diverse Cultures
Cooking Class Presentation & Workshop
UMASS Chef’s Conference
University of Massachusetts Amhurst
UMass Amhurst
Amhurst
MA
United States
Loews Hotel Group: University Panel on Gen Z
Panel Presentation
Loews Hotel Group: University Panel on Gen Z
Lowes Hotel Group
Zoom
Recapturing the Catch: Ikejime to Shore Up Sustainability in RI Fisheries
Demonstration
Food Innovation & Technology Conference
Johnson & Wales University
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
Chef’s Choice: Braising & Stewing
Workshop; Cooking Class
Chef’s Choice: Braising & Stewing
Johnson & Wales University
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
Cooking Asia Dumpling Night
Workshop
Cooking Asia Dumpling Night
Cooking Asia
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
Cooking Asia Kimchi Night
Workshop
Cooking Asia Kimchi Night
Cooking Asia
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
Farm to Table Seafood: Cooking Appetizing Aquaculture at JWU
Workshop; Cooking Class
NE Aquaculture Seafood Conference
NE Aquaculture Seafood Conference
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
Cooking Asia Cuisine Night: China
Workshop
Cooking Asia Cuisine Night
Cooking Asia
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
Cooking Asia Mystery Basket Competition
Competition Judging
Cooking Asia Mystery basket Compeition
Cooking Asia
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
JWU Pathways to Mystery Basket Planning: Taking the Mystery out of Mystery Baskets
Workshop
Educators
CCAP
CFIT
Providence
RI
United States
Educating and feeding todays student
Competition Judging
UMASS Amherst
UMASS Amherst
UMASS Amherst
Blue Zones and Ocean Greens: Sustainable Seaweed is on the Menu
Cooking Class Presentation & Workshop (2 days)
UMASS Chef’s Conference
University of Massachusetts Amhurst
UMass Amhurst
Amhurst
MA
United States