TVC Culinary Arts Program to Move to Fort Wainwright in 2003

Submitted by Scott McCrea
Phone: (907) 474-1157
12/18/02

For nearly 20 years the culinary arts program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Tanana Valley Campus has been serving gourmet delicacies to the blue and gold--the students, staff and faculty of UAF. Come 2003, the program will be catering to the green and gold when it moves its operation to the Last Frontier Club at Fort Wainwright.

The program is moving due to renovations on the Hutchison Career Center, which will begin this winter and is expected to last until September of 2004. Once complete, the renovations will include an extensive upgrade to the culinary arts kitchen and dining area.

The program offers a one-year certificate and two-year associate of applied science degree in culinary arts. The program stresses hands-on learning along with food service operations, principles, and theories. Over the years the program has been extremely successful in securing employment for its graduates, and boasts a 100 percent success rate most years.

TVC Director Jake Poole said that while he is looking forward to when the renovations are completed, he is excited about the new partnership with Fort Wainwright.

"We have some military students in the program, so this is an ideal location for them," he said. "We will also have a new audience for our gourmet lunches, which have grown in popularity over the years."

The partnership has also received praise by the military community, according to Fort Wainwright Public Affairs Officer Linda Douglass.

"We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Tanana Valley Campus," said Douglass. "We have heard a great deal about the great lunches the culinary arts students prepare, and look forward to sampling them. It’s also a great opportunity right here at Fort Wainwright for our soldiers and family members who may be considering a career in culinary arts."

The weekday lunches, which will start in February, will be open to the public as well. The public will have to obtain a pass from the visitor’s center at the main entrance.

Culinary Arts is one of five TVC programs located at Hutchison Career Center that will be relocated during the renovations. Other programs which will be housed in temporary facilities during the renovations include welding, drafting, aviation, and diesel technology.

Poole said that TVC is working to make the relocations as convenient as possible for students.

"When all is said and done, the university and the school district are going to have one of the finest vocational technical centers in the state," said Poole.

CONTACT: TVC Marketing Coordinator Scott McCrea at 474-1157 or at fnsjm@uaf.edu.