My experience at the Culinary Arts program at Trenholm has truly been life-changing. Not only have I learned essential skills to be a chef, I've also made lifelong friends and mentors. The instructors are very approachable and helpful with anything the students need. Their lessons go well beyond teaching culinary skills; they teach life lessons that we need to be successful. I have been motivated, challenged and appreciated more in the Culinary Arts program than any other I have attended. I have used the skills and confidence that I've acquired in the program to start my own business venture as a baker. This is a dream I would have never realized if it wasn't for the instructors and administration of the Culinary Arts program. The students are not just students; they are included as part of the program from day one. I'm blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of this outstanding community of learners and the environment the instructors foster.

This is my 3rd semester in Trenholm's Culinary Arts program and I feel as though in such a short amount of time I've greatly improved my skills while also gaining lasting knowledge and experiences. The courses are carefully planned so that you are getting the vital information that's needed to be successful. They are worked out in a manner that progresses and emphasizes the key principles of classical cooking, nutrition and the economics of culinary and hospitality. The way the topics are reiterated with more knowledge building on it with each course truly helps me feel like im building a solid foundation for anywhere Id like to take my career. The instructors are really what make the heart of the Culinary program at Trenholm. They go above and beyond for us students. It is obvious they truly care and dedicate their time to our success. They help us beyond the course work to motivate and guide us on how to reach our personal goals in the field. Ive witnessed and experienced them help students step by step open their businesses. Get them interconnected with the finest dining options in the city; clients for their catering businesses. They take special interest into their students strengths and passions and help them cultivate those. Ive had instructors keep me in mind for multiple opportunities that align with my niche and I couldn't be more thankful. I feel extremely supported here. Overall, my experience at Trenholm's Culinary program has been outstanding! Ive attended other universities from HBCUs to PWIs and private institutions. The difference is Trenholm Culinary is family. Ive never had a more compassionate group of instructors and classmates so excited to learn. When it comes to family, you want to stick it out even when it gets tough. When you know you have people in your corner that care, it doesn't matter if the building is old or the space is limited or if the classes are small - you find ways to make it happen and work with what you have. If we had more space to work in, I'd give my overall experience a 10/10.

As a transfer student I was certainly nervous to start a new school during the spring semester, however my fellow alumni made it easy to feel at home. I learned some of the most valuable skills a young chef can learn: collaboration and patience. It may sound arbitrary but culinary is far more than learning how to make a mirepoix, it’s about building flavors and building a community.

The Culinary Dept has been life changing for me. The greatest facet of this department is undoubtedly the staff. Each of these instructors has been personally invested in my success, in and out of the classroom. They are always available to assist in any way possible. I have grown not only as a culinarian but also as a leader. They have moved mountains to ensure opportunities for success including but not limited to finding and recommending scholarships, internship and employment opportunities, as well as accommodating educational needs when life creates natural boundaries. My hope is that this department receives the support and resources it needs to expand its reach while continuing to foster an environment that fosters success in education and life.

The culinary arts program was a spectacular program everything from the teachers to the lessons were very helpful for the culinary arts and hospitality management field. The teachers made sure to teach us stuff that we’d need not just for entry level but for owning our own business as well. They talked with jobs in the community asking what it is that they’re looking for from their applicants, once they got all of that information they would come back to the classroom and teach us those necessary skills. They made sure the environment felt welcoming and nurturing so we wouldn’t be afraid to fail. They pushed you to be your best even when you maybe felt like you weren’t very good. We were allowed to voice our opinions for example if there was something we wanted to learn that maybe wasn’t on the lesson plan they would find a way to incorporate it, or if a student wasn’t understanding something the way the teacher was teaching it but the way another student explained it to them they did they would have that student show the class incase any others would benefit from learning that way too, helping to cater to as many learning styles as possible making sure we comprehended everything we were taught not just memorized. The program was very educational and helpful I’d recommend it to anyone else wanting to do culinary arts and hospitality management.

I was inspired to join the Trenholm State Culinary Arts program to further develop my skills, and it exceeded my expectations in so many ways. Throughout the program, I gained valuable skills in knife work, grill, stovetop, and oven control, as well as baking both desserts and breads. I also learned essential skills beyond the kitchen, like ordering groceries based on a menu, managing profit margins, designing a kitchen layout, and many other skills critical for running a successful restaurant. The chefs and instructors are phenomenal teachers and mentors. They are dedicated to ensuring every student has a thorough understanding of the culinary world, and they’re always willing to help us master every lesson. My favorite part of the program was the hands-on learning in the lab. The chefs created a realistic restaurant-style environment and even held a tasting challenge after each lab to determine the best dish, which pushed us to improve with each session. For anyone considering the culinary program, I’d say give it a shot—you might just find that you love it as much as I did!