Culinary Institute of Virginia Holds First Graduation.

NORFOLK, Va. -- Culinary Institute of Virginia, the School of Culinary Arts at ECPI College of Technology, is holding its first graduation on May 30. The graduating class of 50 students will have completed the 18-month program and be awarded an Associate Degree in Culinary Science.

The graduation will be held at the Norfolk Airport Hilton at 4:30 pm with a reception to follow at the Culinary Institute of Virginia. The keynote speaker is Alisa L. Bailey, president and CEO of Virginia Tourism Corporation. Admission to both events is by invitation only.

Leadership at the Culinary Institute of Virginia is overwhelmingly pleased with industry validation of the program. The roster of hotels and food service companies that participate in the required externship program includes 150 companies such as Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Coastal Grill, Tidewater Hotels and Resorts, and River Stone Chop House.

Soon-to-be graduates of the Culinary Institute of Virginia are finding employment not only in the Hampton Roads region at local hotels and restaurants, but also throughout the East Coast.

"We are very pleased to showcase our graduates to potential employers," says Mark Dreyfus, president of the Culinary Institute of Virginia. "One of our goals is to increase the awareness of the culinary talents in Hampton Roads. These graduates and the ones in years to come will help us realize that goal."

For more information, visit www.chefva.com.

About ECPI College of Technology:

ECPI College of Technology is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Bachelor of Science, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees. With campuses in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, ECPI, a private college established in 1966, offers convenient classes during the day, evening, or online; graduate employment services are provided. IT certification classes are also available.

ECPI's many fields of study include: TECHNOLOGY: Biomedical Technology, Electronics Engineering, Information Technology, Database Programming, Network Security, Web Development, Medical Imaging Technology, Simulation & Game Programming, Wireless Systems; BUSINESS: Accounting; Business Administration, Criminal Justice; HEALTH SCIENCES: Dental Assisting, Massage Therapy, Medical Administration, Medical Assisting, Medical Radiography, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing, Surgical Technology; CULINARY: Culinary Arts. (Available programs vary by campus.) For more information, visit www.ecpi.edu.