An acknowledged authority on nutrition issues, particularly childhood obesity and special diets, Zonka launched a nutrition concentration in the School of Culinary Arts’ bachelor’s program in 2009. She also regularly consults with companies, professionals and other educational outlets on nutrition education and programming.
Zonka was honored as Registered Young Dietitian of the Year by the American Dietetic Association and received the Educator of the Year award from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Windy City Professional Culinarians. She is a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) through the American Hotel & Lodging Association and a Certified Executive Chef (CEC) through the American Culinary Federation.
Zonka’s professional career includes practicing clinical dietetics at Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill., where she also served as executive chef of the hospital, as well as managing multiple foodservice operations at Marriot Management Services for 11 years. While there, she provided classes on sanitation, nutrition and basic culinary skills to Marriott employees.
Zonka holds a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition from Loyola University in Chicago and an M.B.A. from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, also in the Chicago area.