Chef Ronda Robotham first began teaching at Johnson & Wales University in 1983. She returned to the hospitality sector and from 1989 through 1996 supervised the front desk at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Fla., returning to JWU in 1997. She presently teaches New World Cuisine, Traditional European Cuisine, and Stocks, Sauces, and Soups. Robotham helped establish the Club of Culinary Excellence at JWU, designed to motivate and stimulate students in all aspects of their culinary education. She also runs evening knife skills classes for students and serves as a judge for competitions such as the Intracollegiate Competition among JWU’s four campuses and Skills USA. For her numerous contributions, she received the 2002 Outstanding Service Award, the Robert M. Nograd Teacher of the Year in 2004, the 2007 Vollrath award, and the 2010 Les Amis d’Escoffier Society Award.
Robotham has donated many hours to the community, including providing meals for Operation Stand Down, and teaching classes for children with Operation Frontline and Share Our Strength. She is also a member of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs.