Coastal Granite & Marble Donates Granite Slabs to Culinary Arts

#1344 | February 28, 2013

SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College’s Culinary Arts program has received 15 granite slabs, valued at more than $100 each, as a donation from Savannah’s Coastal Granite & Marble.

“It’s our pleasure to donate to such a worthy cause,” said Coastal Granite & Marble owner and former Savannah Tech student Luke Atwell. “I anticipate the granite slabs will be used and enjoyed for many years to come.”

Savannah Tech’s Culinary Arts students will use the granite slabs as part of the Baking and Pastry Program, which includes Chocolate and Confection Artistry courses. Students learn a variety of international and classical pastries and desserts using basic and advanced techniques, which meet industry quality standards in the Chocolate and Confection Artistry courses.

This spring, Savannah Tech opened a new classroom dedicated to the Chocolate and Confection Artistry classes. According to Savannah Tech’s Culinary Arts Department Head Chef Jean Vendeville, the granite cools melted chocolate so that the chocolate can be tempered and worked with more easily.

“We appreciate Coastal Granite & Marble’s generous contribution to our classroom and support of our culinary program,” said Vendeville. “Thanks to the donation, all workstations in the chocolate room have granite slabs, which are used by our students daily.”

Baking and Pastry classes began in fall 2012 and are taught at the Savannah Campus, along with select courses at teaching Kitchens in Effingham and Liberty. The Baking and Pastry program was developed by the College to teach the art of creating tasty baked goods, pastries, and confections, from traditional bread baking to beautiful showpieces.

The Culinary Institute of Savannah has earned distinction as one of the top four culinary programs in the country according to the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Under Vendeville’s leadership, the enrollment for STC’s culinary arts program has increased 130 percent since 2008. Vendeville has assembled a top-notch team of faculty, who have each earned national ACF certification under his leadership. For more information about Culinary Arts at Savannah Tech visit: www.facebook.com/ChefJeanVendeville.

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Baking & Pastry or Culinary Arts Program Information:
Amber Robinson 912.443.5719 or arobinson@savannahtech.edu

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu