PITTSBURGH TECHNICAL COLLEGE FACULTY RECEIVES NATIONAL CULINARY ACCREDITATION
American Academy of Culinary Arts at Pittsburgh Technical College Secures American Culinary Federation Accreditation
PITTSBURGH—February 28, 2020 – The American Academy of Culinary Arts at Pittsburgh Technical College (PTC) has earned national accreditation from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Accrediting Commission. The ACFEF is the national accrediting commission for culinary programs. Receiving ACF accreditation means the culinary programs at PTC meet or exceed industry standards and all instructors teaching courses are highly qualified.
“Our goal in the American Academy of Culinary Arts is to prepare the next generation of great chefs,” said Dr. Melissa A. Wertz, Dean, Humanities, Sciences, Business and Online Programs for PTC. “Receiving ACF programmatic accreditation supports our goal and demonstrates Pittsburgh Technical College’s commitment to delivering a quality curriculum that adheres to industry standards.”
Through accreditation, graduates of PTC culinary programs are now eligible to receive either a Certified Culinarian® (CC®) or Certified Pastry Culinarian® (CPC®) certification based on program. ACF accreditation is also an assurance to employers that graduates were trained in programs meeting rigorous standards.
As part of the accreditation process, ACFEF evaluators conducted an immersive site visit to PTC, observing classes, interviewing American Academy of Culinary Arts students, alumni, faculty, staff and community partners. The accreditation process for PTC was guided by Chef Norman Hart, CEC, CCE, AAC, HGT for the American Academy of Culinary Arts.
“Programmatic accreditation is our continued commitment to a higher standard for our students, employers and our valued partners that the American Academy of Culinary Arts is providing the best training possible through educational programs that have received a seal of approval for quality and integrity from an outside agency,” said Hart. “We want to create every opportunity for our students to have exciting and diverse culinary careers. Combining the rigor of certification with a blend of classic fundamentals and culture-current trends, our graduates emerge as leading candidates to launch their careers in restaurants, gourmet kitchens, resorts, hotels, country clubs and other fine establishments.”
Through setting this higher standard for education, PTC has achieved a 100 percent in field placement rate of culinary students who were available for work—meaning every student completing the culinary arts associate degree or certificate programs were offered full-time, part-time or freelance positions.
The American Culinary Federation, Inc., established in 1929, is the premier professional organization for culinarians in North America. With more than 20,000 members spanning 225 chapters nationwide, ACF is the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeships and programmatic accreditation. Pittsburgh Technical College, located in Oakdale, PA, is a nonprofit, academic institution with more than 30 programs that prepare students for career success. For more information about Pittsburgh Technical College, visit www.ptcollege.edu.