Ivy Tech culinary arts accredited with exemplary status by American Culinary Federation

Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus Associate of Applied Science degree program in Hospitality Administration with a concentration in Culinary Arts was accredited for five years and awarded Exemplary Program status by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC).

Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Culinary Arts program was awarded exemplary program status for meeting the highest educational standards set forth by the ACFEFAC. The ACFEFAC is also the accrediting body for culinary and baking degree programs at The Art Institutes of California and the International Culinary School at The Art Institutes.

Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Hospitality Administration Baking and Pastry concentration received a grant of initial accreditation, also for five years.

Accreditation by the ACFEFAC assures that a program is meeting at least a minimum of standards and competencies set for faculty, curriculum, and student services.

“Our culinary arts concentration was named an exemplary program by demonstrating key competencies such as menu planning, culinary nutrition, and fine dining service,” said program chair of hospitality administration, Chef Jeff Taber. “Students focus on learning culinary nutrition and how to convert menus to lower sodium and lower fat. They also provide a fine dining service at our Crossing Café.”

Chef Taber says the accreditation will directly benefit Ivy Tech graduates. “Accreditation allows our graduates to be eligible for first-level industry certification as Certified Culinarian or Certified Pastry Culinarian,” said Taber. “Graduates earn industry certifications to build their resumes and become more marketable to employers. A certified graduate has the knowledge and potential to be employed in a lead culinary position or as a sous chef.”

Chef Taber was asked by the ACFEFAC to be an Education Evaluator of a culinary program in Wisconsin next month. “I was honored to be asked to be part of the accreditation process for another institution,” said Taber. “As an Education Evaluator, I will examine curriculum and talk to the program’s students and graduates.”

Ivy Tech Bloomington’s Crossing Café is open to the community for lunch on most Wednesdays and serves a three-course meal. The menu features French food for the fall semester. Reservations are required and the cost is $10 cash. Ivy Tech’s Crossing Café is located at 2088 S. Liberty Drive. For more information and to make reservations, visit www.ivytech.edu/crossingcafe.

For a listing of all academic program offerings at Ivy Tech’s Bloomington campus, log on www.ivytech.edu/bloomington, click page menu, and then academic degree offerings.