Alumni Success

Culinary Alum Roman Nourse Presented with A-B Tech’s ‘You Make a Difference’ Award

May 1, 2025 In the weeks following Helene, A-B Tech alum Roman Nourse took the words “food runner” to a new level. The energetic sous chef, who works at Givens Estate, put his culinary and project management skills to use by acting as a volunteer chef, project manager, and delivery driver for organizations providing food to those in need.

Steppin' High in Grandma’s Boots: Construction Alum Ashley Kepley-Steward Wins Pro Builder Award

March 5, 2025 As far back as she can remember, A-B Tech graduate Ashley Kepley-Steward, 36, recalls watching her grandmother climbing up and down ladders to remodel her Concord home.

Blue Jean Queen: Industrial Sewing Alum Sophia White on Faith, Fashion and Finding her Bliss

December 16, 2024 Industrial Sewing graduate Sophia White never would’ve guessed she’d be a textile artist. The 38-year-old California native was more of a pen and ink gal.

Thriving Amidst Challenges, Alumnus Jimmy Yang Achieved His Dream

September 13, 2024 After enduring hurdles, including a forklift accident that caused him chronic pain, South Korean-born Jimmy Yang landed his dream job this past year after completing A-B Tech’s Certified Production Technician program.

Asheville Restaurateur Makes Food & Wine's Best New Chefs List 2024

September 13, 2024 Asheville, N.C. — A celebrated Asheville restaurant continues to shine with diners nationwide.

A-B Tech Culinary Arts Graduate Sara Monson Profiled by Edible Asheville

September 12, 2024 As a young girl, Sara Monson was a devoted fan of TV cooking shows. She’d tune in to episodes of Julia Child’s “The French Chef” and Justin Wilson’s “Louisiana Cookin’,” and when the segments would end, she’d re-create the kitchen studio setup at home.

Amber Cameron: Making a Difference One Smile at a Time

July 26, 2024 Becoming a Medical Assistant was Amber Cameron’s Plan B. After applying and being waitlisted to nursing programs, the 35-year-old landed at A-B Tech over a decade ago, thinking she’d use her Medical Assisting certificate as a stepping stone to a nursing career.

Amanda Houdek Goes from A-B Tech to Executive Pastry Chef at The Gasparilla Inn

July 10, 2024 Executive Pastry Chef Amanda Houdek was born and raised in Hendersonville, NC. Her mother shared her love of cooking and baking, which helped inspire Chef Amanda to pursue culinary arts at Asheville-Buncombe Community Technical College in Asheville, NC.

Speed is his Strong Suit: Chef Roman Nourse Wins National Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition

June 18, 2024 Roman Nourse, a 2023 Culinary Arts graduate, recently defeated seven chefs from around the country to win the title of U.S. Champion in the prestigious culinary competition, the National Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs (JCR ), on June 8 in Seattle.

Built To Scale

November 20, 2023 Asheville, N.C. — According to the dark depths of a fantasy fandom wiki, dragons are “physically enormous,” with a wingspan averaging 115 to 138 feet and a mass of 16 tons. Though “some have been recorded at twice this.”

Noted Asheville Chef Ashley Capps Draws on Foundation and Community from A-B Tech as She Juggles Culinary Venture and Motherhood

October 13, 2023 On a recent September morning at a cozy market nestled in the River Arts District, chef Ashley Capps gives her baby girl a bottle while her husband, Chef Travis Shult,z brews a fresh pot of coffee.

Sweet On Sour Presented by A-B Tech Community College

September 18, 2023 Frugality doesn’t always wind up being a contributing factor in the story of someone’s career. But in the case of Jen Currier—head of Wicked Weed Brewing’s mixed culture program, where she oversees the production of sour beer, cider, and wine—it helped her craft her own unique career path.