HARRISBURG, Pa. – Creativity and scientific principles blend for a challenging, rewarding and creative career in the food service industry. Discover if the joys of cooking, baking and pastry arts or planning special events are the right choice for you at a free information session about HACC’s prestigious culinary arts and hospital programs on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, at 5:30 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Country Club, 3940 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg.

Autumn Patti, HACC chef instructor, special events coordinator and kitchen manager, and culinary arts faculty will be on hand to answer questions and give tours of the facilities of the Benjamin Olewine III Center for the Study of Culinary Arts and Food Service Management located at the country club.  College admissions staff will provide information on how to apply and get started on a new career.

HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, offers two-year associate degrees, one-year certificate and shorter-term diploma programs in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, hospitality management, and restaurant and food service management.

HACC’s culinary arts program was rated “exemplary” by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Accreditation Commission in September 2012. The commission awarded the program a seven-year accreditation attesting to its excellence.

“The seven-year accreditation is very significant because it shows we fulfill all their requirements and, in fact, surpass them,” said Getachew Kassahun, CHA, CFBE, chair of HACC’s Hospitality and Tourism Department.

In addition, HACC’s hospitality and tourism associate degree programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, which grants regional accreditation to institutions of higher learning.

Reservations to attend the open house at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014, are requested but not required. To respond or for additional information, contact Liz Stager at 717-780-2305 or eastager@hacc.edu

About HACC

HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, offers nearly 200 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to more than 20,000 students at five campuses in Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York and through virtual learning. In addition, HACC serves more than 29,000 students in noncredit workforce development, public safety, adult basic education and continuing education programs offered at all campuses and off-site locations in many communities in Central Pennsylvania. For more information about what HACC has to offer, visit www.hacc.edu.