Culinary & Hospitality

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Love cooking, baking, and hosting events?  Our Culinary Arts program gives students the experience of cooking in a professional kitchen environment and preparing banquets for various organizations throughout the semester.   This course involves both theory and actual hands on lab and work experience. Successful completion of this program includes the ServSafe certification required of all food service workers today.  This grants our students a leg-up on the competition when applying for jobs in the industry.  Each year, the Culinary program also hosts a job fair assisting students with the transfer directly into the workforce, or a part-time job to help with higher education costs.

Designed around the nationally acclaimed ProStart program,  our courses include an industry-driven curriculum to teach, test and award industry recognized certification to students meeting high standards in food service and restaurant education. ProStart is a two-year curriculum developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. This state-driven and industry-backed curriculum is based on the knowledge high school students need to be successful in the restaurant industry. Coupled with relevant work-based experiences, this curriculum enriches, enhances, and reinforces what students learn in the classroom and provides students with opportunities to develop and practice skills critical to their future success. By integrating classroom learning with job experiences, ProStart provides students with opportunities to learn and practice important skills related to leadership and responsibility.

These skill sets serve as a foundation to professional, trained, and educated employees. It is a school-to- career path for high school students interested in the restaurant and food service industry.

 

Program Overview

Designed around the nationally acclaimed ProStart program,  our courses include an industry-driven curriculum to teach, test and award industry recognized certification to students meeting high standards in foodservice and restaurant education. ProStart is a two-year curriculum developed by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. This state-driven and industry-backed curriculum is based on the knowledge high school students need to be successful in the restaurant industry.

Coupled with relevant work-based experiences, this curriculum enriches, enhances, and reinforces what students learn in the classroom and provides students with opportunities to develop and practice skills critical to their future success. By integrating classroom learning with job experiences, ProStart provides students with opportunities to learn and practice important skills related to leadership and responsibility. These skill sets serve as a foundation to professional, trained, and educated employees. It is a school-to- career path for high school students interested in the restaurant and foodservice industry.

Informational Video

Nate Turner
 

Nattiel Turner is a native of Maryland, but moved to Charlotte three days after his high school graduation to pursue his degree in culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University. During his tenure at Johnson & Wales he managed various restaurants and completed internships with the Nutrition & Diet Department at Carolina’s Medical Center focusing on meal plans and nutrition regimens. In addition to his academics and work schedule, Nattiel was also involved in the planning and opening of Georges Brassier in South Park.

He received his Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts from Johnson & Wales University in 2008. Upon graduation, he continued to manage restaurants and hospitality along with offering private chef services in the Charlotte metro area. In 2012, he opened Your Custom Catering & Events, a full-service catering and events firm. While managing his company he also obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Columbia Southern University with a focus in Business Management. 

In addition to his culinary prowess, he is also very involved in his community. His philanthropic beneficiaries include the Charlotte Men’s Shelter, The Women’s Shelter of Mecklenburg County, Time Out Youth, Urban Ministry, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and The Relatives. In 2017, Nate was honored as one of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Black Chamber of Commerce’s 30 Under 30 for his entrepreneurial success and what he has given to the Charlotte community through his business, activism and volunteerism.