Campus: Mount Joy | CIP Code: 12.0508
Instructor: Brandon Green
Instructor: Tara Zhookhoff
Tara Zhookhoff
Instructor: Culinary Arts/Chef
Art Institute of Philadelphia 1993-94 Visual Communications
Pa School of Art and Design 94 Visual Communications
Graduated Harrisburg Area Community College Criminal Justice 1997
Graduated YTI 2001 Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management
Executive Chef and Food Service Director Compass group Eurest Dining
Adult Education Instructor for Department of Homeland Security
LCCTC Culinary Instructor 2013!
Growing up Tara’s family owned and operated a restaurant in Columbia Pa, she grew up on a farm in Marietta where she learned to garden, grow her own vegetables and practice the art of canning. Tara’s family moved overseas where she went to school in England and got to travel, eating many fine delicacies from around the world. She has always wanted to be a teacher and a chef from the time she was young and believes traveling to other countries and her parents inspired her to pursue that path which she did for many years climbing the corporate ladder from line cook to Food service director.
For two years Tara participated in Iron Chef and was the YTI representative on TV for culinary. She has fed dignitaries from around the world, and has thrown parties from 2 -5000 people. Tara loved her fast paced career, however when the world trade centers fell on that fateful day in September she felt the need to leave the culinary world and join the Department of Homeland security. While there, Tara graduated in the federal instructor program and taught adult education for 7 years which she did love very much as well but felt she was missing something… While reading the paper one summer day in 2013 Tara saw all of her dreams advertised to pursue the best career yet… her dream job, Culinary Instructor Mount Joy campus LCCTC!! All of her favorite careers all in one. She couldn’t be happier!
Tara has a husband and two boys and lives here in Mount Joy.
*Please note; INFUSIONS restaurant is closed when the LCCTC is closed or has a two hour delay due to school closings. Check WGAL if you are unsure of delay or closure.*
Career Focus Statement
Prepare for further education in culinary and restaurant management programs or immediate employment.
Program Goals
All Culinary Arts students will:
- Earn National Skills Certificates, i.e. National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) and PA Skills Certificates.
- Successfully transition into a 1st career job and/or related post-secondary training.
- Be proficient in their career major and demonstrate proficiency through hands-on performance and theoretical testing.
Program Description
- Plan, prepare and serve meals for upscale catered events and casual-to-fine dining restaurant service.
- Work side by side with professional chefs starting in the school kitchens and moving into professional placements.
- Prepare for job opportunities locally, abroad, and in exotic locations in the diverse culinary and hospitality industry.
Employment Opportunities
- Bus Person
- Caterer
- Deli Clerk
- Department Manager
- Line Cook
- Meat Buyer
- Meat Cutter
- Meat Processor
- Prep Cook
- Restaurant Host
- Short Order Cook
- Sous Chef
IN THE NEWS!
Check out the Culinary Department’s feature on oils in the Lancaster New Era! See article
April 2015 LNP Article on the Culinary Arts/Chef and Baking & Pastry Arts programs. See article
WGAL “Learning Matters” segment on Infusions Restaurant.
