The Organization

The team for "Fork in the Road" includes: Eric Villegas, program host and inspiration and owner of Restaurant Villegas in Okemos, MI.; Scott Allman, producer, director, videographer and editor of the program and Andrew J. Such, Executive Producer. This team is responsible for the production of the program and the creative and promotional efforts to sustain the program.

Chef Eric Villegas, Host

Award winning chef-restaurateur, cookbook author and television personality Eric Villegas has done more than any other culinarian to introduce the country to the regional and local foods of his beloved Michigan and the Great Lakes.

The Michigan born chef embarked on his culinary career after studying liberal arts at Michigan State University. Moving to Paris, France he attended Anne Willan’s LaVarenne Ecole de Cuisine and Steven Spurrier’s Academie du Vin. After which he gained a wide range of practical cooking experience in the classic restaurant kitchens of France’s gastronomic capital, Lyon. After two years abroad, Chef Villegas returned to the States to continue his studies at the New England Culinary Institute, where he specialized in the service aspect of hospitality running the school’s flagship dining room. Read more…

Scott Allman, Producer, Director, Videographer

Scott has been involved in the video communications industry since the mid '80s, working both in the private sector and at ANR Communications/Michigan State University. He has an extensive background in news, commercial and documentary production. He has shot video across the United States and overseas, working for a variety of national and regional clients. A recent documentary shot (in Haiti) and edited by Scott won a National Aurora award. In the last two years Scott Allman Productions has won six Telly awards and Fork in the Road has won two Emmys. Scott and Eric met and became friends in 1992.

Andrew J. Such, Executive Producer

Andy has extensive experience in producing informational TV programs in Michigan. Formerly the News Director at WLNS-TV, Channel 6 in Lansing, he has produced news, sports and documentary television programs for over 25 years. He owned and produced The George Perles Show (MSU Football) and the Jud Heathcote Show (MSU Basketball) on a statewide network for over a decade.

Dick Best, Videographer

Dick is an Emmy award winning video photographer and director at WKAR-TV, Michigan State University's public TV station. His directing credits include Off the Record, QuizBusters, and many specials at WKAR where he also shoots most field video acquisition.

Connie Christian, Makeup Artist

Connie's work in cosmetology has been extensive. Graduating from Chicago's Pivot Point School of Cosmetology in 1987, she started her career as a beauty advisor for Elizabeth Arden after-which she joined Lancome Cosmetics where, within five years, she achieved the status of head regional make up artist for the greater Chicago area. Now living in Michigan, Connie works in makeup for both television and print.