Chef Teresa Davis is seen here in the kitchen at the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, where VGCC’s Culinary Arts program is based. (VGCC Photo)
Vance-Granville Community College recently named Chef Teresa Davis as the new head of its Culinary Arts program.
The two-year Associate in Applied Science degree program, based at the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford, prepares students to assume positions as trained culinary professionals in a variety of settings, including full-service restaurants, hotels, resorts, clubs, catering operations, contract foodservice, and health care facilities.
Davis has been an instructor for VGCC’s Culinary Arts program since August 2015, but her association with the college dates back to her days as a student. In fact, she met her future husband 25 years ago when both were enrolled at Vance-Granville. After marrying and raising three children, Davis returned to school and completed an associate’s degree in Baking and Pastry Arts at the Culinary Institute LeNotre in Houston, Texas, graduating summa cum laude.
She completed advanced coursework in French baking and pastry arts through the American Culinary Federation, is an accredited pastry chef, and is certified as a ServSafe manager, instructor and proctor.
Davis worked for several years as a pastry chef and manager in Texas, including stints at the exclusive Petroleum Club of Houston and ExxonMobil. Today, she continues to own and operate her own catering business.
“My goal is to continue to grow our Culinary program, striving to offer exciting and accessible courses that meet the needs of our students and our community,” Davis said. “We want to meet students where they are, work with their needs and have them graduate with a superior knowledge base and skill set that affords them every opportunity available.”
Davis grew up in Granville County and today lives in the Wilton community. She is a graduate of the Granville County Chamber of Commerce “Leadership Granville” program.
“Chef Davis brings a wealth of real-world experience and passion for her field to the classroom,” said Angela Gardner-Ragland, VGCC’s dean of business and applied technologies. “We look forward to her leadership in building upon our Culinary Arts program’s tradition of excellence, as she prepares students for professional success.”
For more information about the Culinary Arts program, contact Chef Davis at davist@vgcc.edu or (919) 690-0312.