BCCC to Cut Ribbon on New Culinary Lab | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, NC     The Continuing Education Department at Beaufort County Community College will cut the ribbon on a new restaurant-grade culinary lab. A culinary class is already making use of the new equipment. The culinary program is also the first program to be named after a donor. The Frances Morgan Roberson Culinary Arts Program is funded by an endowment established by the estate of William R. Roberson, Jr. Roberson bequeathed money to the foundation to establish the culinary program and fund its operation. The ribbon cutting will take place on Friday, October 28 at 12:00 p.m.

    On hand will be BCCC President Barbara Tansey, Vice President of Continuing Education Stacey Gerard, Zoph Potts of the BCCC Foundation, County Commissioner Jerry Langley and Dr. Charlie Mike Smith on behalf of the Roberson estate. The event is being hosted by the Washington-Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce. Instructors Paul Cyr and Morten Hoj are both preparing food for the reception with the help of culinary students. Michele Harris is providing harp music. Members of the public are invited to attend.

    The culinary arts program will give students the experience they need to work at local restaurants or build on their current skillset. While personal enrichment classes will also take place in the new culinary lab, the program is geared toward professional cooks and chefs who will gain training on the equipment they will work with in a commercial kitchen. Local restaurant owners helped develop the program based on the gaps in training they saw in applicants and employees.

    "We are excited to be able to offer such a great community resource here at BCCC," said Lou Stout, director of workforce initiatives. "Plans for a culinary program have been in the making for quite a while. Not only will job seekers gain valuable skills towards employment, the community will be able to take various classes and learn skills to impress their family and friends!"

    "I have been waiting for the college to get a program like this going," said Anita Price, a student in the first class making use of the new facility. "I've cooked at home for years, but it's nice to dust off my skills and work with professional chefs."

    Community members can sign up for "Holiday Party Foods" with Elaine Roberson starting on November 8 if they would like to experience the new culinary lab. To register, please call (252)940-6375.

    Beaufort County Community College is a public comprehensive community college committed to accessible and affordable quality education, effective teaching, relevant training, and lifelong learning opportunities for the people served by the College.