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<\/a>Denis Boucher, program manager, for the new NECC Lupoli Family Culinary Arts Institute in Haverhill<\/p><\/div>\n
The opening of Northern Essex Community College\u2019s Lupoli Family Institute of Culinary Arts this fall will help downtown Haverhill, already known for its many dining options, grow as a mecca for foodies.<\/p>\n
The institute will occupy two floors in The Heights, a newly built 10-story luxury building on Merrimack Street with sweeping views of the Merrimack River. The space will include classrooms, laboratories, and state-of-the-art kitchens and offer noncredit community courses<\/a> as well as credit programs in Culinary Arts<\/a> and Hospitality Management<\/a>.<\/p>\n The space will open softly this fall with a series of 30 noncredit culinary arts courses, beginning with Summer Herbs from Garden to Kitchen on Sept. 15.<\/p>\n Social distancing will be practiced, with classroom classes limited to six people and demonstration classes limited to four.<\/p>\n \u201cWe couldn\u2019t wait to get started and we wanted to do it safely,\u201d said Sandy Zappala, program manager, NECC Center for Corporate & Community Education. \u201cThere\u2019s increased interest in growing your own food and cooking at home, and we\u2019ve tailored our courses with that in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n There are many options for home chefs to explore ethnic cuisine, including Latin American, Indian, Italian, and Asian; baking courses covering cupcake design and\u00a0 cookie decorating; and courses for those who like to entertain at home, such as Food and Wine Pairing, Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers, and Creating Charcuterie Board for the Holidays.<\/p>\n Those with a sense of adventure may be interested in Sausage Making, taught by Kristen Carbone of Haverhill\u2019s Carbone\u2019s Kitchen and aspiring farmers can consider Organic Home Gardening and Growing Herbs.<\/p>\n You can find a\u00a0full list of noncredit culinary arts courses\u00a0here<\/a>. And, if you have questions, you can reach out to Zappala at szappala@necc.mass.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n Eventually, the institute will also be home base to two credit programs: the college\u2019s\u00a0Culinary Arts Certificate<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Associate Degree in Hospitality Management<\/a>. Students enrolled in those programs are studying online this semester since the college has moved almost fully to online delivery, but the plan is to offer onsite courses in the spring of 2021.<\/p>\n According to Denis Boucher, program manager for the institute, the 29-credit Culinary Arts Certificate<\/a> is geared toward people who want to prepare quickly\u2014in under a year\u2014for careers in restaurants, hotels and more. Students will develop skills in applied culinary techniques, advanced baking, classic world cuisine, and more.<\/p>\n The 63-credit Associate Degree in Hospitality Managemen<\/a>t focuses on an understanding of business operations and can be transferred to a bachelor\u2019s degree program in hospitality or a related major.<\/p>\n Both programs require an internship, and Boucher anticipated many students may get hired as a result.<\/p>\n The college is planning to host a community open house as soon as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. \u201cWe have kitchens equipped with the very best in a building with an amazing view,\u201d said Boucher. \u201cIt\u2019s an inspiring place to cook and learn, and I can\u2019t wait to show it off.\u201d<\/p>\n For more information about credit programs, contact Boucher at\u00a0dboucher@necc.mass.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\t