Meet The Team: Eagle Rock Chef Instructor, William “Ed” Perry

For a guy who attended two great universities for a total of two years and then left to pursue a career in the culinary arts, Ed Perry’s done pretty well for himself. He’s been a chef for more than four decades now, and he’s even owned a couple of businesses along the way. To say we’re happy to have him here at Eagle Rock would be an understatement.

Meet Ed Perry:

Eagle Rock: Who are you and what do you to do here at Eagle Rock? 

Ed: I am William “Ed” Perry, and I am a chef instructor at Eagle Rock School. I cook several meals a week here and supervise and instruct the student KP (kitchen patrol) teams who assist me. Sometimes I help organize student activities like pumpkin carving and cookie decorating. I also did a “Baking with Ed” class during Explore Week, which was a lot of fun.

Eagle Rock: What did you do prior to coming to work for Eagle Rock?

Ed: Before coming to Eagle Rock I was a chef at The River Club in Jacksonville, Fla. The River Club is a private club located on the 34th floor of a skyscraper in downtown Jacksonville. During hurricanes the building would sway so much it felt like being on the water.

Eagle Rock: What attracted you to Eagle Rock?

Ed: I missed working with teenagers in a kitchen. At The River Club, most of the employees were at least in their 30’s. Working with kids is a lot more challenging and it keeps me on my toes. The River Club job was too much like working in a retirement home.

Eagle Rock: When you’re not working, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Ed: In my spare time I read a lot, hang out with my kids, and I do a lot of cooking and baking.

Eagle Rock: What reality TV should you be on and why would you win or be kicked off?

Ed: It would be fun to be on Cake Boss on TLC. And I would win, for sure.

Eagle Rock: What’s your all-time favorite Eagle Rock success story?

Ed: I’m always happy to hear about former students who get jobs because of their KP experience. On a weekly basis it seems, the students come and help me out if I have a heavy workload.

Eagle Rock: What’s one thing not many people know about you?

Ed: Actually, there are three things people don’t know about me:

1. I’ve owned two businesses — a small commercial bakery and a bar & grill.
2. I’ve got six children.
3. I shave with a straight razor.