Tyler Junior College’s Culinary Arts faculty members were in the spotlight during the recent Texas Chefs Association (TCA) convention in San Antonio.
Rebekah Pool, TJC professor and program coordinator, was named State Educator of the Year and East Texas Pastry Chef of the Year.
Kortney McMillian, professor, was also recognized as the East Texas Educator of the Year; and Larry Matson, professor, was re-elected the State Secretary-Treasurer.
Since 2019, the TJC Culinary Arts program has provided students with the opportunity to study in a state-of-the-art facility in George W. Pirtle Technology Center on the TJC central campus, in a fully equipped commercial kitchen with a dining area, where students can develop their craft in a real restaurant setting.
The program began with one associate degree and a basic culinary certificate but has continued to grow, adding specialized credentials in baking/pastry and food service, creating more opportunities for students to advance their skills that lead to successful careers.
Beginning this fall, TJC is adding two Associate of Applied Science degrees within the culinary specialty:
• Hospitality and Restaurant Management focuses on business competencies and guest interactions for successful restaurant operations.
• Baking and Pastry offers advanced courses in areas including cake decorating, chocolates and confections, food service and menu management.
Basic and advanced certifications are also offered in culinary, baking and pastry, and hospitality and restaurant management.
For more information, go to TJC.edu/Culinary.