The College of Continuing and Professional Education at Kennesaw State University has enhanced its Culinary Apprenticeship certificate program with the establishment of a new advisory board. The volunteer board is comprised of seasoned chefs and hospitality industry professionals with years of experience in the culinary field. The board will serve to evaluate and develop new program ideas, secure donors, and raise awareness about the Culinary Apprenticeship certificate and its benefits. As advocates in the local community, they will also work to build and strengthen community partnerships.
“Students will receive help as they go into the workforce through the board’s involvement,” said Pam Moss, Culinary Apprenticeship program manager. “Board members have an input curriculum on development, course changes and/or course improvements. Their combined knowledge, experience and influence in the community will certainly benefit our students. Our collective goal is to do everything we can to support students interested in pursuing a career in the field.”
The Culinary Apprenticeship certificate program was launched in 2009. The eight-month program combines classroom training and apprenticeships in a number of metro Atlanta restaurants. Students are placed in an authentic kitchen environment allowing them to train under multiple chefs. In March, the program received the 2017 Innovative Programming Award at the Georgia Adult Education Association conference.
The Culinary Advisory Board Members are:
- Matthew Basford, Executive Chef at Canoe
- Beverly Holyfield, Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education Coordinator at the Georgia Department of Education
- Robert Gerstenecker, Consulting Executive Chef at Four Season at Park 75 Hotel
- Paulette Hopkins, Owner of The Hopkins Alliance
- Kevin Taylor, CEO of Fire Stone and President of Eastbeck® Wealth Management
- Jeff Whitney, Owner of Event Transportation Atlanta
- Ian Winslade, Culinary Director at Murphy’s and Morningside Kitchen
For more information on the Culinary Apprenticeship program, visit ccpe.kennesaw.edu or call 470-578-6765.
