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Hospitality (Culinary)
New or seasoned, this program covers it all: cooking essentials, meal prep, menu analysis, inventory, budgeting, and more. With courses in hospitality, business management, and accounting, you're set for career growth or entrepreneurship. Join us and kickstart your culinary journey!
Let's get started!Students in the Hospitality (Culinary) program may be eligible for the West Virginia Invests Grant. If you've been a West Virginia resident for at least one year and can meet the additional program requirements, the grant may cover the full cost of your tuition and fees*.
Learn more about West Virginia Invests* Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
Whether you're new to the culinary industry or a seasoned professional, WVU Tech's culinary program is designed for you. Our comprehensive curriculum covers essential cooking techniques, meal preparation, menu analysis, inventory management, facility management, budgeting, labor management, fine dining, and more.
You'll also benefit from our courses in hospitality, business management, and accounting, equipping you with the knowledge to advance your career or launch your own business.
Experience top-notch culinary training in WVU Tech's state-of-the-art kitchen facilities. Our dedicated kitchens feature updated commercial equipment, walk-in refrigeration, and traditional classrooms. You'll have access to specialized tools for smoking, sous vide preparation, gelato making, and ice carving, providing an environment that mirrors today's fast-paced, modern kitchens.
Cap off your culinary education with a hands-on internship at a regional business. Collaborate with industry professionals to build your skills, expand your network, and integrate your knowledge in a real-world setting.
Program Director and Teaching Assistant Professor of Culinary Arts
Chef Devin completed her culinary training at the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in culinary arts at the University of Charleston, followed by a master's in higher education administration from West Virginia University.
Meet Chef Devin: Noor, Devin"We have wonderful restaurants, a designated national park and tourism is on the rise. We need to make sure we have the workforce and the infrastructure that this requires.”
– Chef Paul Smith
James Beard Foundation Award Winner
We’re proud to partner with West Virginia culinary icon, Chef Paul Smith. Chef Paul boasts an impressive culinary journey, being the first West Virginian to win the prestigious James Beard Foundation award. With multiple successful restaurants in the Charleston, West Virginia area, including 1010 Bridge Restaurant & Catering, Ellen’s Ice Cream, and The Pitch Sports Bar & Grill, Chef Paul's expertise in the culinary world is unparalleled. Additionally, he serves as a chef partner with the Humble Tomato in Lewisburg, West Virginia, Barkadas in Charleston, West Virginia, and Retro Hospitality, a hotel management group based in Richmond, Virginia.
Chef Paul brings a wealth of hospitality experience and a vast network of industry connections to our culinary program. Through our partnership, Chef Paul provides invaluable experiential learning opportunities and facilitates job placements for our culinary students. Collaborating closely with Program Director Chef Devin, Chef Paul ensures that our students receive the support and real-world experience that industry leaders seek during the hiring process.
By joining our Culinary program, you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn from Chef Paul Smith and gain insights from his extensive culinary journey. With Chef Paul’s support, you’ll acquire the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the competitive culinary industry and kickstart your career with confidence.
The Hospitality (Culinary) program is a WVU Potomac State College program offered at WVU Tech in Beckley, West Virginia. The easiest way to explain this is that you're a WVU Potomac State College student, but you'll learn and study (and taste your new creations) in Beckley.
When it comes to classes, your instructors will all be WVU Tech professors. If you have questions about classes, scheduling, academic deadlines or anything regarding your day-to-day studies, they're your best contact.
Since the program is administered by WVU Potomac State College, they'll handle everything involving student accounts, payment deadlines and more. You'll be able to work with WVU Tech's Financial Aid department on financial aid issues.
Since you'll be learning and interacting on the Beckley campus, all of that will be handled through WVU Tech. You can learn more about parking and student IDs on the WVU Tech Student Accounts website (but remember: payments and other students account issues are handled through the WVU Potomac State College Office of Student Accounts).
Yes! We have more than 40 student organizations that cover interests ranging from student government and advocacy to gardening and fishing.
Your diploma will be from WVU Potomac State College.
At WVU Tech, our kitchen facilities are top-notch. We have special kitchens with the latest commercial equipment, walk-in refrigerators, and traditional classrooms. You'll find all the tools you need to cook anything you can imagine. Our advanced equipment lets you try out cool techniques like smoking, sous vide cooking, making gelato, and even ice carving. You'll be learning in a setting that feels just like today's fast-paced, modern kitchen.
As you finish your program, you'll get to do a hands-on internship with a local business. This experience lets you work with industry professionals, build your skills, expand your network, and see how everything comes together in a real-world setting.
In order to compete the degree, students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of required course work. Upon completion of the degree, graduates will be able to: