It’s no secret that Chattanooga State Community College has much to offer its students, but many may not be aware of the opportunities available at the school in the areas of hospitality and culinary arts.
The Scenic City is a destination bursting with tourism, and independently owned restaurants are constantly opening, but Chattanooga is not known for its hospitality or culinary arts training. That is something Tim Hennen, who has 42 years of restaurant experience, has worked to change. He and more than 1,000 other community members have come together to fund the Michael P. Hennen Hospitality and Culinary Center at Chattanooga State.
“Chattanooga is really getting behind this because we need quality-educated kids to get involved in new independently owned restaurants in this city,” Hennen said. “I am very excited we will have local talent, and I think this talent will want to stay here.”
Students enrolled in the two-year program earn an associate’s degree in applied science in either food and beverage, hotel management, tourism or culinary arts, according to Daniel Zink, director of hospitality and tourism management at Chattanooga State. A state-of-the-art industrial kitchen has been constructed in the Michael P. Hennen Center in the school’s Center for Business, Industry and Health.
Matthew Williamson, Michael P. Hennen Hospitality and Culinary Center director, graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Austin, Texas. He worked as a chef for 12 years in the industry, including head chef at Hawkesdene Resort in Andrews, N.C.
Chattanooga State will have members of its culinary arts program at the Tivoli during the Savor Live: Down Home Cooking Show Sunday, Oct. 22. Attendees may look for the school’s booth on-site, where members of the program will be in uniform answering questions. Chattanooga State promos and literature about the program will be available, as the school hopes to reach those in the community who are interested in cooking, especially parents of prospective students for the culinary arts program.
For more information, stop by the booth during Savor Live or visit chattanoogastate.edu.