As the new academic year promises to bring some exciting changes to campus, especially Capital Eats and enhanced food plans, who best to serve up these changes? It will take someone unique – an individual with a ‘flavorful’ background who knows their way around the kitchen.
Allow us to introduce Executive Chef Jonathan Woodrow. He’ll be overseeing the kitchen team under the leadership of Director of Dining Operations, Alisa Mathis-Peterson.
Chef Jonathan recently joined Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences as part of the Chartwells Compass USA team to oversee the big changes coming to the Gozzo Dining Hall. With culinary training from Schenectady County Community College’s renowned program and more than 30 years’ experience in the food industry with respected names like Mazzone Dining, Chef Jonathan is well poised to take on this new venture.
Does his name sound familiar to you? Chef Jonathan was formerly ACPHS Coach Woodrow and brought more than a decade of coaching experience to that post. He spent six seasons in different coaching capacities with the women’s soccer team.
In 2022, as head coach, the team capped a historic season by winning the USCAA Division II National Championship in Virginia Beach, Virginia. 
Entering the tournament as the sixth seed, the women’s team defeated conference rivals Paul Smith’s College and Southern Maine Community College in a dramatic shootout to claim the title.
He remembers the dark, 6 am team trainings scheduled to avoid conflicts with ACPHS labwork and classes. But most of all, he fondly recalls the energy and pride he felt as a coach.
Chef Jonathan spent this past summer refining menus and preparing the kitchen for the campus community’s return. With the impending Russell Sage merger, he’ll be serving up to a much bigger crowd. Capital Eats has designated dinners for both campuses on the ACPHS campus, while the dining hall still remains a food option for Albany Law students.
The chef, who is also a private life and health coach, grew up around good food with a Jamaican mom. But he is also committed to healthy options for all students.
He quipped, “I always say, you can spend money on quality food or quality heathcare. It’s your choice.”
As a father with young adults of his own, he knows the discerning tastes of today’s students. They have grown up with innumerous food options, both from an access perspective and with diverse cuisines.
But he’s more than ready to show us what his team has in store.
Bon Appetit!
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