By Mallory Kennedy

Looking to add a little spice to your education? The Lenoir Community College Culinary Arts may just be the spice you need.

The LCC Culinary Arts Program is known for providing students with the skills and experience necessary to dive right into a professional kitchen after graduation. “We build students from the ground up,” says program chair Chef Jeff Yourdon.

Yourdon is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and is a certified executive chef with the American Culinary Federation. He teaches students the skills necessary for them to become a trained culinary professional in a variety of food service settings.

Students enrolled in the program learn basic knife techniques, team building, sanitation and safety, menu building, as well as the human resources side of the food industry. Students learn through hands-on training in a state-of-the-art facility.

The one thing that students in this program have in common is their love of cooking. “Students demonstrate their culinary skills by involving themselves in community events such as Relay For Life. “Being involved in the community is important. Our students have prepared full meals at Thanksgiving and distributed them to families in need. We have participated in food demonstrations at the local Farmers Market to teach others how to make healthy and nutritious meals. These are just some of the ways students get hands-on opportunities to practice their skills.”

Graduates can transfer to East Carolina University to receive their bachelor degree in Hospitality Management or to Johnson & Wales University to complete their bachelor degree in Culinary Arts.

The LCC Culinary Arts Program is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation Foundation, one of eight programs to receive this honor.

“Our surrounding area is rapidly growing with new restaurants and food trucks which need graduates of our program,” Chef Yourdon said, “We currently have a 95 percent job placement within 30 days of graduation.”

The program offers classes during the day and in the evening, as well as online. Students are eligible to earn a certificate, diploma, and a degree.

North Carolina now requires that every food establishment must have a ServSafe certified employee on duty at all times while food is being prepared or served. The Culinary Arts Program offers this certification in a 16-week class that will provide the student with the certification after the completion of the exam.

For more information, visit LCC Culinary.