Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) recently relocated the Culinary Arts and Hospitality program from North Campus to Downtown Campus. Previously, the downtown space housed the welding department but has since been extensively renovated and modernized to welcome the new facility.

FSCJ culinary arts students now have the opportunity to study all facets of working in a food service environment. First-year students will begin their culinary education working in the dining room to experience how to serve cuisine effectively. This is also a time for students to understand the business side of the industry. Students in their second year will transition into the kitchen, where they learn to master the culinary skills needed to prepare gourmet food as a chef in a real-world kitchen environment.

The Culinary Arts and Hospitality program is also the home to a brand new, state-of-the-art baking laboratory, which will equip students with the latest skills for baking and pastry production. Much of the new baking equipment was funded by a generous $10,000 grant, courtesy of Bank of America. This charitable act was in response to the need of expanding the FSCJ culinary program to better serve the community.

The facility also boasts the most advanced culinary business software in the industry and mirrors the technology that is being used in food service operations today. Students have access to a more developed and accurate accounting system for learning how a food service business operates.

William Mark, instructional program manager for the Culinary Arts and Hospitality program, stated, “A learning outcome goal is to recognize the collaboration that must exist between the kitchen staff and the dining room staff to provide service that exceeds the customer’s expectations.”

The new downtown location also better provides students and patrons with a more accessible facility located within the core of Jacksonville.

On a weekly basis, the Culinary Arts and Hospitality program offers rotating menus with various themes. Lunch time seating is available at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon. Dinner seating is at 6:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Gratuities are greatly appreciated and all proceeds go toward a special student activity at the completion of each term.

Reservations can be made by calling (904) 633-8151.