As a child, Chad Abernathy always had a passion for cooking. After learning about FSCJ’s Culinary Management program, he decided to enroll and pursue his childhood passion as a career.

Reflecting on the staff at FSCJ, he said, “They were awesome. From the advisors and counselors to the receptionists and aids, they made my time at FSCJ so much fun and made sure that I had complete success.”

It seems as though the staff alone weren’t the only ones who made Abernathy’s time at FSCJ great. “How can I forget about the instructors? They were always there when I needed them. Their no-nonsense approach prepared me for the reality of the hospitality industry. They made it clear that it was an industry where long hours and hard work was the norm.”

Abernathy worked at a few different restaurants after receiving an Associate in Science for Culinary Management in 2013. However, he had always dreamed of owning his own business so, in 2015, The Nitrogen Creamery food truck, “Big Blu,” was born to introduce Jacksonville residents to liquid nitrogen ice cream.

“My wife, Bonny, and I were excited to be the first to bring this new concept to Duval. It is not very often that you have the opportunity to bring something completely new to a city,” said Abernathy.

Introducing a new concept like a liquid nitrogen ice cream food truck worked in his favor because he can now fulfill his next dream. The couple opened a brick and mortar restaurant on May 17, 2017, in Jacksonville Beach.

“Our future plans are to expand our brand of Nitrogen Creamery all over Northeast Florida. Hopefully by this time next year, we will be looking for our second location,” he said.

For more information about Nitrogen Creamery, visit nitrogencreameryjax.com.