NORWALK, Conn.–Cutlery maker Wüsthof-Trident has appointed Michael Garaghty (a.k.a. “Chef Mike”) executive chef.

In this newly created position, Chef Mike, who reports to Scott Severinson, president, sales and marketing, will preside and appear in Wüsthof-sponsored television segments, retail events, cooking videos, social media initiatives, trade shows, consumer food festivals and other elements of the brand’s sales and marketing campaigns.

Chef Mike’s first appearance with Wüsthof’s was on Lifetime Television’s “The Balancing Act” last week, featuring an educational segment on how to select, use, store and sharpen quality kitchen knives.

“We’re pleased to welcome Chef Mike to our team, where his culinary expertise and long-standing preference for Wüsthof knives will significantly bolster our sales and marketing programs,” Severinson said. “Chef Mike’s amiable and accessible personality, combined with his professional cooking background will be instantly appealing to consumers interested in enhancing their experience cooking.”

Chef Mike has more than 25 years of experience in the professional food service industry, including founding and managing his Plymouth, Minnesota-based catering company, A Call to Catering. In operation since 2002, his full-service catering company oversees events ranging in size from 25 to 2,500 guests.