Halifax County’s future workforce was on full display during a recent visit to the Halifax County Schools Culinary Arts lab, where students demonstrated both technical skill and professionalism in a setting designed to prepare them for real careers.
Representatives from the Halifax County Manager’s Office, Halifax County Economic Development Commission, Halifax County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and myFutureNC toured the school’s culinary kitchen and the Lighthouse Café at Southeast Collegiate Prep Academy. The visit included a student-prepared meal served with the kind of care and attention expected in a professional hospitality setting.
Through the Culinary Arts Program, students learn essential cooking skills, explore food safety and nutrition, and develop customer service and teamwork skills that are valued in every part of the industry. Students recently earned ServSafe Food Manager Certification, the gold standard for food safety in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
Strong local programs help students see viable career pathways close to home, while also giving employers a future talent pipeline. Culinary arts and hospitality connect naturally to several important parts of Halifax County’s economy, including restaurants, tourism, agribusiness, food production, events, and small business development.
During the visit, partners discussed ways to strengthen connections between the school system and local businesses through work-based learning opportunities. The group also discussed how Halifax County’s agricultural richness can support the Culinary Arts Program in meaningful ways, including Greenleaf Farm, the Halifax County Schools-owned and student-run farm that produces fresh fruits and vegetables used in school meals.