The Culinary Arts Institute Of MCCC Announces New Partnership With Johnson & Wales University‏

The Culinary Arts Institute (CAI) of Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) and Johnson & Wales University celebrated a new partnership agreement that will allow CAI graduates to seamlessly transfer to Johnson & Wales to earn their baccalaureate degrees. From left: MCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. Victoria Bastecki-Perez, CAI Director Chef Francine Marz, CAI student Jacqueline Ramos, MCCC Interim President Dr. James Linksz and Johnson & Wales Pennsylvania Admissions Representative Sharon Macko. Photo by Sandi Yanisko

Lansdale, PA —Graduates from The Culinary Arts Institute (CAI) of Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) can now seamlessly transfer to Johnson & Wales University (JWU), Rhode Island, thanks to a recent articulation agreement signed by the institutions. The agreement encourages and facilitates the transfer of qualifying MCCC graduates to Johnson & Wales to complete their baccalaureate degrees in specific programs.

Under the agreement, MCCC students who graduate with a Culinary Arts Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree may transfer to Johnson & Wales’ Culinary Arts and Food Service Management Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree program. Also, MCCC students who graduate with a Management A.A.S. degree with a Hospitality Management Concentration may transfer to Johnson & Wales’ Hotel and Lodging Management B.S. degree program.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management students,” said Dr. Victoria Bastecki-Perez, MCCC Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost. “By forming this partnership, Johnson & Wales recognizes the quality and rigorous curricula designed and delivered by our faculty at the College. We are delighted to partner with Johnson & Wales to provide this seamless pathway for our graduates.”

“I am pleased this agreement is finalized, because as an alumna, I know that having a bachelor’s degree from a highly regarded institution like Johnson & Wales opened many doors for me, and I want our students to have the same opportunities,” said CAI Director Chef Francine Marz.

While MCCC’s graduates have successfully transferred to institutions across the country and world, building formal relationships with select colleges and universities streamlines the transfer process. These partnerships also introduce students to transfer destinations they may not have considered, such as leading institutions like Johnson & Wales.

“This agreement offers MCCC students an affordable opportunity to continue their education and meet their career goals,” said James M. Richard, Director of JWU Culinary Admissions. “Students who transfer from MCCC to Johnson & Wales will join a diverse student body and receive a global education and graduate with the skills needed for today’s workforce.”

CAI students, such as Jacqueline Ramos, have been looking forward to this new partnership.

“For the past few months, I’ve waited anxiously to hear about this agreement.  Finally, today, with much excitement, I have been told ‘yes,’ the agreement is finalized, and I can start the process to transfer to Johnson & Wales after graduation from The Culinary Arts Institute of Montgomery County Community College,” said Ramos, who has dreamed about a culinary career since she was a teenager.

This agreement is the first between MCCC’s Culinary Arts Institute and a four-year institution. Overall, MCCC has transfer agreements with close to 60 colleges and universities. To learn more about transfer opportunities at MCCC, visit mc3.edu/student-resources/transfer-services/transfer-agreements.

About Johnson & Wales University

Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with more than 16,000 graduate, undergraduate and online students at its four campuses in Providence, R.I.; North Miami, Fla.; Denver, Colo.; and Charlotte, N.C. An innovative educational leader, the university offers degree programs in arts and sciences, business, culinary arts, education, nutrition, hospitality, physician assistant studies, engineering and design. Its unique model integrates arts and sciences and industry-focused education with work experience and leadership opportunities, inspiring students to achieve professional success and lifelong personal growth. The university’s impact is global, with alumni from 119 countries pursuing careers worldwide. For more information, visit www.jwu.edu.

About Montgomery County Community College

Montgomery County Community College offers a comprehensive curriculum of more than 100 degree and certificate programs, a Virtual Campus, a Culinary Arts Institute, a Municipal Police Academy, and specialized workforce development programs, all of which leverage the College’s nationally ranked use of innovative technology. An Achieving the Dream (AtD) Leader College, the institution is positioned at the vanguard of national efforts to increase completion, improve learning outcomes, and remove barriers to access for close to 20,000 students annually. The College is also recognized regionally and nationally for its sustainability leadership, work with military veterans, and community service and service learning opportunities. For more information, visithttp://www.mc3.edu.

About The Culinary Arts Institute

The Culinary Arts Institute of Montgomery County Community College is the region’s home for innovative, affordable culinary arts education and training. The Culinary Arts program includes both associate degree and certificate programs, as well as non-credit culinary enthusiast and professional development course offerings. The 15,000-square-foot facility at 1400 Forty Foot Road, Lansdale, in Towamencin Township, is conveniently located near the Blue Route (I-476) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The facility features four state-of-the-art kitchens and equipment, three SMART classrooms, and a retail bakery café, Forty Foot Café, and Bistro 1400 restaurant, where students can develop real-world food preparation and customer service skills. For more information, visit http://www.mc3.edu/culinary.

Get To Know Montgomery County Community College At Spring Open Houses

Blue Bell/Pottstown/Lansdale, Pa.— Montgomery County Community College will hold three open houses this spring to provide prospective students and the community with information about the College’s programs, campuses and activities. The open houses are free of charge and are open to the public. For more information or to pre-register, visit mc3.edu/openhouse or call 215-641-6551.

The College’s Central Campus, located at 340 DeKalb Pike in Blue Bell, will hold its open house on Saturday, March 28 in conjunction with the Montgomery County Wellness Expo. The open house runs from 10 a.m.-noon in Parkhouse Hall, while the Wellness Expo runs from 9 a.m.-noon in the lower lervel of College Hall.

Presented by Einstein Medical Center Montgomery, Blue Bell Rotary and Montgomery County Community College, the annual Wellness Expo offers free screenings, educational information, presentations and giveaways throughout the day. Health Checks—including reduced cost 26-panel blood screening; Ultra C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Homocysteine test; and Prostate-Specific Antigen test—will be offered from 8:30-11:30 a.m. on a first come, first served basis. To pre-register for Health Checks or for more information about the Wellness Expo, visit advance.einstein.edu or call 484-622-0200.

The College’s West Campus, located at 101 College Drive in Pottstown, will hold its open house on Thursday, April 16, from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Fine Arts Gallery in North Hall.

The College’s Culinary Arts Institute, located at 1400 Forty Foot Road in Lansdale, will hold its open house on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m.-noon in conjunction with the final round of its student Iron Chef Competition. Attendees will have the opportunity to see the College’s students in action; tour the kitchens and classrooms; and learn about MCCC’s Culinary Arts and Pastry and Baking Arts associate degree programs, as well as its Culinary Enthusiast and Junior Chef classes.

All three open houses will provide prospective students and their families with information about MCCC’s credit and non-credit programs. Admissions representatives will be on hand to answer questions about the admissions process, transfer opportunities, e-Learning, financial aid and intercollegiate athletics, among other topics. In addition, faculty representatives will be available to discuss the 100+ associate degree and certificate programs that are part of the College’s comprehensive curriculum.

To learn more about all that Montgomery County Community College has to offer, visit http://www.mc3.edu.

Pottstown “Chopped” Culinary Competition Winners Create New Sandwich For Local Eatery

Left to right Sheila Dugan, Gene “Grumpy” Dugan, Isaiah Robinson (winner), Adrianna Douglas and Ronni Yerk . Isaiah Robinson and Keelan Warren were the winners. Keelan Warren was not available for the photograph.

Chef Jackie Mathais , Isaiah Robinson, Ronnie Yerk and Adrianna Douglas.

Mixing the ingredients!

The last touch – CHIPS – what else!

The Trojan BBQ sandwich in all its glory.

On March 17th, 11 Culinary Art Students were asked to create the next Grumpy PHS Sandwich – The Chopped Challenge II began.

The secret ingredients, which all needed to be used and were judged upon were: Goat Cheese, Cherry Preserves, Potato Chips & Pork.

The students were judged by Superintendent Jeff Sparagano, Principle Jeff Hartman & Grumpy himself.

The categories were, presentation, taste, use of all ingredients. They were also watched in the kitchen – and teamwork was a must!

The winners, though every one did a great job – were Keelan Warren & Isaiah Robinson.

Their sandwich – “THE TROJAN BBQ”.

The kids did a great job and having some real life experience is an awesome way to learn. The kids were a little stunned when we met them and told them that Grumpy’s has one oven, no fryer and is for the most part a one man show – Thursday, May 15th, they saw exactly how it works! The kids all received a t-shirt with the Chopped Challenge on the back, the year and Trojan BBQ – to remember the moment. As the winners, Keelan & Isaiah were also given a bag of culinary goodies including cook books, tools of the trade and $50 each.

Keelan had the pleasure of working with Grumpy two summers ago, he obviously learned what Grumpy’s tastes are and his expectations, because despite the blind taste test, HE was the winner!

Chef Jackie Mathais is an excellent asset to the school as well, helping these students understand the process of great creations in the kitchen!

Last year was the first year of the competition. Grumpy wanted to show support of the Culinary Arts Program in the schools and for every sandwich sold, he will donate $2 back to the program. Last year, close to $200 was donated from sandwich sales. The teachers use the funds to help the students be able to afford uniforms and such that are hard to do sometimes due to economics.

Grumpy’s is engaging the students with real life experiences and the reality that the TV shows are not always what it’s truly like to work in the kitchen. The Trojan BBQ sandwich will remain on Grumpy’s menu for the next year.

Grumpy’s is located at 137 E High St., Pottstown, PA 19464. Phone: 610-323-1232.