Tyson is taking culinary science to a new level with his creative presentations that include a talent he has developed over the past decade — ice sculpting. With this unique skill, Tyson is regularly sought in the Marietta community to showcase his talents.

He was nominated for the 2017 Overachiever of the Year Award, a program of Marietta Main Street that recognizes an individual who has gone above and beyond to champion the Main Street mission to bring people together to preserve, enhance and enjoy downtown Marietta.

Tyson’s ice sculpting has been a popular attraction at the Marietta Fire and Ice Festival for the last two years. He creates ice sculptures for area businesses to display at their storefronts. He started carving for themed holidays at Marietta’s Lafayette Hotel, and his passion for the art grew.

Ice sculpting begins with freezing the block of ice for three to four days. Then, Tyson says, he spends about four hours carving each masterpiece using special tools that include a chainsaw, chisels, die and angle grinders and milling machine bits.

A graduate of Marietta High School who studied at Marietta’s Washington State Community College, Tyson worked under Executive Chef Dave Rudie for six years, accepting his first executive chef position in 2007 at age 22. He was executive chef at three downtown establishments from 2007-13 and joined United Church Homes’ Glenwood Community in 2013 in what he said was the best decision of his life.

“It was an opportunity not only to get back to fine dining but to cater to a special group of diners,” Chef Tyson said. “We have a fresh menu at Glenwood every week, so I always have the ability to create something new and different. I think the benefit of cooking for Glenwood Community over a restaurant is, because we’re a nonprofit organization, we have the opportunity to give back more to the residents and be less concerned with daily customer volume.”

Glenwood Community includes 12 village homes, 64 independent living apartments and 48 assisted living apartments. It offers residential and assisted living on a scenic campus with walking trails, restaurant-style dining and health and wellness programs. Glenwood Community’s The Pines Assisted Living won the Marietta Times 2017 Readers’ Choice Award, and the campus earned Holleran’s Highest Honors for resident engagement and satisfaction in 2017.