Meet Thomas Long: Savoring Success

Date published: July 21, 2024

New Cumberland, PA

"HACC gave me the foundation to begin a career in culinary arts."

Thomas Long's storied HACC journey began in 1979 when he participated in the College's first chef apprenticeship program. This helped him to launch an award-winning career in culinary arts that continues today. "HACC has given me, along with many others, the foundation to begin a career in culinary arts and the confidence to pursue my dreams," said Long, who became certified as an executive chef in 1991.

After a 24-year career in the field, Long returned to HACC in 2015. He became the director of campus dining, and during this time, he decided to continue his education and earn an associate degree in general studies. Long graduated in December 2018.

Today, he is the executive chef for The Chef's Apprentice, one of HACC's dining options. In this role, he oversees all aspects of food service operations at the College, including menu development, staffing, budgeting and maintaining and enhancing community perception.

Long said one of his greatest successes since graduating from HACC is "the many former students and apprentices who I have had the opportunity to help along the way to further their career in culinary arts."

Throughout his career, Long has received several accolades. In 2006, he was inducted into the American Academy of Chefs, an honor society of the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Then, in 2015, the ACF awarded him the Dr. L.J. Minor Chef Professionalism Award for the Northeast.

In 2020, Long authored a cookbook titled "The Chef's Apprentice," which features over 80 recipes, including his highly regarded crab cake recipe. Five dollars of each sale is donated to the Benjamin Olewine III Center for the Study of Culinary Arts and Food Service Management Fund for Excellence, which allows HACC to invest in innovative tools and technology to keep up with the constantly expanding culinary industry.

While Long has savored his success, it did not come without obstacles. He learned early on that he wanted to give back to others after a family tragedy. He said, "At the age of 12, I lost my 20-year-old brother Charlie, who was killed in action in Vietnam. I watched my parents become involved in the American Gold Star Mothers organization. I learned never to let Charlie's memory die and to appreciate the opportunity I had to be here on Earth and give back to others."