After graduating in 1996 from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Schroeder worked at a number of notable restaurants under the region's top chefs including: San Francisco's Aqua, with Chef Michael Mina and Marin's Lark Creek Inn, with Bradley Ogden. In 2002, Schroeder joined Ogden as Executive Chef opening Arterra Restaurant in Del Mar, CA. During this time, he received numerous honors such as: "Best Hotel Chef Series," James Beard Foundation; "California Chef of the Year 2004," California Travel Industry Association; "Top 8 Chefs in Southern California," Angelino Magazine. He has also been featured in Bon Appetit, Gourmet, San Diego Union Tribune, Los Angeles Times, New York Times, San Diego Magazine, Coastal Living, Hotel Bel Air Magazine, Art Culinaire and other publications.