At the start of the Fall 2023 semester, Middlesex Community College will debut its new Culinary Lab on the Lowell campus. With funding from State Senator Ed Kennedy, MCC’s Hospitality and Culinary Arts Program was able to purchase new equipment to transform the Cowan Center’s cafeteria into a training kitchen for students.
“I am proud to support the Culinary Arts program at Middlesex Community College,” Senator Kennedy said. “The program provides a tremendous growth opportunity for the college and college students in the Greater Lowell and Bedford area as it helps to produce the next generation of restaurant and hospitality workers.”
MCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts Program Coordinator Kim Morrissey and Chef Instructor Jim Giordano worked together to select equipment and design the space with the college’s Facilities team. The Culinary Lab will feature an updated kitchen area with new and state-of-the-art equipment, including dual range oven spaces, multiple floor mixers, and an industrial dishwasher.
The program provides a tremendous growth opportunity for the college and college students in the Greater Lowell and Bedford area as it helps to produce the next generation of restaurant and hospitality workers.” - State Senator Ed Kennedy
The re-designed space will include a teaching and preparation area with multiple prep stations for students. There will also be an instructor station and technology station with a projector and drop-down screen for use during demonstrations. Morrissey has been looking at options to be able to offer courses on-campus and is happy to see it come together.
“We are very excited to be able to offer these courses on-campus finally,” Morrissey said. “Our hope it to be able to expand the program with more course offerings each semester and to be able to have our students become more involved with campus and community activities.”
A ribbon cutting for MCC’s Culinary Lab will be held in early Fall. Students enrolled in the Culinary I and Baking I classes will have the opportunity to work in the redesigned space and practice their skills beginning on Tuesday, September 5 – the start of the Fall semester.
During the Fall semester, Culinary Arts students can work hands-on in classes toward an associate degree, certificate or the new culinary micro-credential. The eight-week micro-credential courses offer a convenient and flexible way for students interested in culinary arts to get started in the in-demand field.
As coordinator, Morrissey works with students to help them find internship and job opportunities. Combined with the new options, she is looking forward to seeing how the Culinary Lab will enhance students’ learning. She believes these hands-on experiences will provide students with a huge advantage as they transfer to their four-year institutions and look for jobs in the field.
“Demand and pay rates are at an all-time high for these exciting industries, and it’s the perfect time to start or advance in your career in these fields,” Morrissey said. “MCC is a cost effective, flexible and convenient way to get started with relevant, interactive experience within just the first two years of your academic journey. We are thrilled to get MCC’s Culinary Lab up and running and watch our students practice their craft on-campus!”