In 2023, the Culinary Arts Department assumed Skylander Café (cafeteria) operations. Through a partnership with Elizabethtown Gas, the SCCC Foundation received $13,400 in funding for the College to upgrade the cooking equipment to support expanding operations by purchasing a new oven. The Skylander Café currently serves over 100 students and staff daily and events for up to 500 people. This cross-departmental partnership between the Café and the Culinary Institute will provide our students with additional instructional and experiential opportunities in an institutional food production kitchen.
In addition to the upgrade in cooking equipment facilitated by the partnership with Elizabethtown Gas, the Culinary Arts Department implemented a series of innovative menu changes and operational enhancements at the Skylander Café. Under the guidance of Chef Martin Kester, students have been actively involved in developing and executing new culinary creations, ranging from farm-to-table specials featuring locally sourced ingredients to international cuisine-themed days celebrating diverse cultures.
Photo (left to right): Isaiah McCargo (Kitchen Manager, Skylander Café); Dan Kous (Instructor of Culinary Arts); Stephanie Forrest (Government Affairs, South Jersey Industries); Christine McMullen (President & COO, Elizabethtown Gas); Martin Kester (Program Supervisor, Culinary and Hospitality); Dr. Jon Connolly (President, SCCC); Jason Fruge (Dean of Technical Occupations); Stan Kula (Executive Director, SCCC Foundation).
