Justin Diehl
Executive Chef
Justin has worked at Serenity Knolls since 2021 when he started as a part-time cook before spearheading the Culinary Program. Justin currently serves as the Executive Chef as well as the Housekeeping Manager.
Justin grew up in sunny Sonoma County and completed culinary school and training at SRJC with follow-up curriculum at the College of Marin. He holds an A.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences with a passion for psychology. Justin is Dietary Manager Certified, as well as Food Service Manager certified, through Serve Safe. He is also Red Cross Advanced First Aid Instructor certified and a CERT member with the local fire department.
Justin’s passion for food started as a child watching the Julia Child cooking show and cooking for his family. He ventured forth to manage many restaurants since first working as a dishwasher/prep cook in 2004. Chef Justin has been recognized as Chef of the Month in the Marin Magazine, as well as having done private catering for George Lucas, Elon Musk, Steven Spielberg, Ewan McGregor, James Hetfield, and others.
Justin’s passion for helping people started when his mom would take him and his sister to volunteer at the homeless shelter each week as a child. After his own battle with addiction, Justin finally succeeded in sobriety in November 2012. Since then, he has been active in the Marin and Redwood City AA Fellowships.
Justin believes in the holistic approach to food medicine, where food plays a critical role in the healing of the mind, body, and spirit. Culinary food medicine is a practice that supports the body in its natural healing and recovery processes through eating real, fresh, whole foods.
