ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Chef Alexander S. Petok Jr. and his wife, Catalina Petok, are the founders and creative force behind Petok Culinary Experiences, a chef driven, 100 percent dedicated gluten free culinary brand based in Petoskey, Michigan. Rooted in hospitality, integrity, and innovation, their mission is simple to create exceptional food without compromise and redefine what gluten free dining can be.
Alexander is a classically trained chef and graduate of Johnson and Wales University Culinary Arts with a background in luxury hospitality and high end kitchens across Hawaii and Miami, including the Four Seasons on the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu, as well as premier Miami properties. He brings global inspiration, refined technique, and disciplined execution to every menu. After witnessing firsthand how limited and often unsafe gluten free options were for those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities, he committed to building a fully dedicated kitchen that prioritizes safety, transparency, and flavor equally.
Catalina brings an equally distinguished background in luxury hospitality, having worked at some of the top resorts in Hawaii and Miami, including The Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Waikiki, and the Acqualina Resort in Miami. With a natural talent for guest experience, design, and service flow, she is the heart and visionary behind the brand’s atmosphere. Often described as the Atmosphere Architect, Catalina ensures every detail from visual identity to how guests feel the moment they walk in is intentional, warm, and elevated.
Together, Alexander and Catalina have built a community focused brand that blends fine dining principles with accessibility, creativity, and care. Petok Culinary Experiences is proudly often imitated, never duplicated, and continues to raise the bar for gluten free food not just in Northern Michigan, but beyond
Website: https://www.chefpetok.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PetokCulinaryExperiences
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petok_culinary_experiences
