Why Choose a Career in the Hospitality Industry?
- The restaurant industry employs an estimated 12.8 million people, making it the nation's largest employer outside of the government.
- The restaurant industry is expected to add 2 million jobs over the next decade, for a total employment of 14.8 million in 2017.
Why Choose Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
- Our Student Competition "Hot Food" Team has won the American Culinary Federation's (ACF) Southeast Regional competition 14 times and competed in the ACF National Finals 13 times. Their 14th trip to Nationals is set for this July in New Orleans. A-B Tech's student team won First Place at the ACF Nationals in July 2007 and placed in the top three several other years. (See details under "Competition Information.")
- Our Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts programs are both accredited by the American Culinary Federation.
- You cannot beat community college tuition for the value of a 2-year degree.
Student Experiences
- Hands-on practical experience in our 39,000 square-foot building and renovated 1870s house, with 5 state-of-the-art kitchens, a banquet room, 5 dining rooms, a large demonstration hall, and a student-run lodge.
- Outstanding internship relationships with some of the finest restaurants, country clubs, and hotels in the Southeast.
Successful Graduates
- Chief Operating Officer, Hampton Inn of America
- Vice President Culinary and Corporate Chef of Ritz Carlton Hotels
- Pastry Chef, French Laundry
- Executive Chef, Kendall Jackson Wineries
Qualified Faculty
- Graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, Rochester Institute of Technology, Johnson and Wales University, and New England Culinary Institute.
- Active members of the American Culinary Federation and the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education.
Programs
| Title | Credential | Credit Hours | Link to program details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culinary Arts A.A.S. | Degree | 71 | |
| Baking and Pastry Certificate | Certificate | 18 | |
| Culinary Studies Certificate | Certificate | 18 | |
| Therapeutic Culinary Certificate | Certificate | 16 | |
| Practical Meat Cutting Certificate | Certificate | 13 | |
| Hospitality Management A.A.S. | Degree | 64 | |
| Hospitality Management Certificate | Certificate | 17 | |
| Hospitality Management Online Certificate | Certificate | 17 | |
| Restaurant Management Certificate | Certificate | 17 | |
| Food Truck Operations Certificate | Certificate | 17 | |
Career Opportunities
The career opportunities listed below are available around the country and the world as well as locally.
- Executive Chef
- Sous Chef
- Executive Sous Chef
- Kitchen Manager
- Kitchen Supervisor
- Banquet Chef/Supervisor
- Line Cook
- Baker
- Pastry Chef
- Saute Chef
- Grill Chef
- Garde Manger Chef
- Saucier
- Food and Beverage Purchase Agent
- Equipment Purveyor
- Food Research Chef
- Consultant
- Food Stylist
- Food Writer
American Culinary Federation certification is available to graduates.
Salaries
Earnings of entry-level cooks in the United States range from $23,000 to $31,000.
Baking and Pastry Arts Career Opportunities
The Baking and Pastry Arts program prepares graduates for employment as baking and pastry professionals in a variety of food service settings--
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Catering businesses
- Independent bakeries/pastry shops
- Wholesale/retail markets
- High‑volume bakeries
Graduates should qualify for entry-level positions--
- Pastry/bakery assistant
- Area pastry chef
- Assistant pastry chef
With experience, advancement opportunities may include--
- Pastry chef
- Cake designer
- Bakery manager
American Culinary Federation certification is available to graduates.
Salaries
Earnings of entry-level bakers and pastry chefs in the United States range from $23,000 to $31,000.
Hospitality Management Career Opportunities
The Hospitality Management Program trains students to work as supervisory and management personnel in--
- Resorts
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Airlines
- Retirement homes
- Clubs
Career opportunities listed below are available locally and worldwide.
- Catering Manager
- Management Trainee
- Restaurant Manager
- Director of Food Services
- Reservations Manager
- Front Office Manager
- Country Club Manager
- Food and Beverage Manager
Salaries
Earnings of entry-level employees in Hospitality Management in the United States range from $24,000 to $35,000.
Good to Know
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College has an open-door admissions policy. High school graduation or equivalent is normally required for admission to any curriculum. If a student is in need of financial assistance, they should contact the Financial Aid Office. A-B Tech is committed to the philosophy that no eligible student should be denied access to higher education because of a lack of financial resources.
Chef Cathy Horton
Director, The Brumit Center for Culinary Arts & Hospitality
Chair, Culinary Arts & Hospitality Management
- Phone: (828) 398-7667
- Email: cathrynjstrohmhorton@abtech.edu
The mission of A-B Tech’s Culinary Arts program is to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills essential for entry-level positions meeting the professional standards and growing demands of the culinary industry.
A-B Tech Culinary Arts program is accredited by the
A-B Tech Culinary Arts in the News
- A-B Tech Student Culinary Team 2nd in the Nation July 2013!
- A-B Tech Culinary Arts graduate named 2012 Best Young Chef in the World.
- National Champions American Culinary Federation Student Culinary Competition 2007.
Hands-On Education
Culinary Arts students learn by doing. Students participate in practical education experiences that translate classroom learning into real life. Opportunities include:
- 5 state-of-the-art kitchens and equipment
- cooperative education positions with industry-respected leaders
- on-campus restaurant with a banquet room and five dining rooms
- chef demonstrations in elevated demo kitchen/hall
Culinary Competition Awards
Our Culinary Arts students have won numerous state, regional, and national Culinary Competitions.
Successful Graduates
Numerous graduates have held important culinary leadership positions throughout the country.
- Vice President Culinary and Corporate Chef of Ritz Carlton Hotels
- Cook at Alinea Restaurant in Chicago (Voted 2011 6th Best Restaurant in the World by London’s Restaurant Magazine)
- Owner/Partner Outback Restaurant
- Pastry Chef French Laundry
- Executive Chef Kendall Jackson Wineries
- Associate Editor, The Rosengarten Report
Dining at A-B Tech
The Culinary Arts and Hospitality students offer dining experiences on most Thursdays in the fall and spring semesters. These lunches and dinners are staged by the students to gain real-world experience while still in school. Meals are held in the Magnolia Building and Fernihurst Building dining rooms on the A-B Tech Asheville Campus.
If you would like to be on the email list to receive our schedule and menus, please email reservations@abtech.edu.
Program Completion Graduate Data Reports
Mission
The mission of A-B Tech’s Baking and Pastry Arts program is to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills essential for entry-level positions meeting the professional standards and growing demands of the baking industry.
Our Baking and Pastry Arts program is accredited by the American Culinary Federation.
The Baking and Pastry Arts degree provides students with practical hands-on and theoretical training in the areas of —
- Artisan and Specialty Breads
- Petit Fours
- Classical and European Pastries
- Tortes and Special Occasion Cakes
- Chocolate Artistry
- Plated Desserts
- Confections and Show Pieces
In addition, the curriculum includes courses in —
- Food Science
- Sanitation and Safety
- Human Resource Management
- Food and Beverage Controls
- Marketing
- Nutrition
Baking and Pastry Arts are part of the Department of Culinary Arts and Hospitality at A-B Tech.
Program Completion Graduate Data Reports
The Hospitality Management Program utilizes industry and local hospitality standards and practices to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills necessary for successful employment in an entry-level hospitality management position.
Areas of study
- Front Office Management
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Food and Beverage Control
- Human Resource Management
- Event Planning
- Food Preparation and Service.
- An internship program is also provided to enable the student to acquire experience under the direction of a qualified manager and college supervisor.
- In addition to the degree program, students have an opportunity to earn certification in individual subjects from the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel & Motel Association.
Practical Experience
All Hospitality Management majors receive practical experience to prepare them for their future careers.
- In the Magnolia and Fernihurst Buildings kitchens and dining rooms, students practice the preparation of foods and a variety of service styles, providing delicious meals for guests from both the campus and the community.
- An on-campus lodge, The Mountain Tech Lodge, operated and maintained by the students, provides practical experience under the direction of the college faculty.
