Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) today named the dining lab in its new Culinary Arts Building, the Piedmont Natural Gas Dining Room in recognition of a recent gift from the Piedmont Natural Gas Foundation that will provide scholarship support for culinary students and funding for new culinary equipment.

“We are honored to have Piedmont Natural Gas as a lead benefactor of this building as we continue to produce students with the professional skills needed to be competitive in the culinary industry,” said Dr. Tony Zeiss, president of CPCC. “Piedmont Natural Gas’s gift will provide students with both financial assistance and critical skills training to ensure they find future professional success.”

CPCC’s new Culinary Arts Building opened its doors to students in August 2009. Located at the corner of Kings Drive and Seventh Street, the new 36,000 square-foot building is home to the College’s culinary technology, and hotel and restaurant management programs, and includes five main kitchens, four classrooms, an auditorium, dining/conference area and more.

CPCC’s culinary program attracts aspiring chefs and restaurant owners from across the region each semester because of its state-of-the-art facilities and the opportunity to learn new industry skills in the only ACFFAC (American Culinary Federation Foundation Accrediting Commission) accredited institution in the Charlotte area. The American Culinary Federation Foundation, Inc., (ACF) is the premier professional chefs’ organization in North America, with more than 230 chapters nationwide and 19,000 members.

"Piedmont Natural Gas is proud of its partnership with Central Piedmont Community College," said David J. Dzuricky, senior vice president and CFO for Piedmont Natural Gas. "In addition to providing an accredited, state-of-the-art learning environment for its students, CPCC's new culinary facility is a testament to its efforts to set the standard for academic excellence and workforce development. Piedmont is delighted to have provided support for those efforts.”

For more information on the CPCC’s Culinary Technology Program, visit www.cpcc.edu/hospitality-education/culinary-technology.

Central Piedmont Community College is the largest community college in North Carolina, offering close to 300 degree and certification programs, customized corporate training, market-focused continuing education, and special interest classes. CPCC is academically, financially and geographically accessible to all citizens of Mecklenburg County. In 2002, the National Alliance of Business named CPCC the Community College of the Year for its response to the workforce and technology needs of local employers and job seekers through innovative educational and training strategies.

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This release prepared by Mallory Benz, 704.330.6613. An archive of CPCC news releases is at http://www.cpcc.edu/college-news.