Kitchen + Classroom

West Ashley Culinary Program

Welcome to the West Ashley Culinary Arts Program, designed to introduce you to the restaurant/hospitality profession. We offer Culinary I, Culinary II, and a Hospitality work-based credit.

The courses are aimed to teach students cooking basics & terminology, restaurant & other foodservice operations, baking & pastry, nutrition, seasonal gardening, and much, more- we hope to have you join us to hone your creativity and focus on a career in culinary arts.


The program is designed to experience, embrace, educate, encourage, and empower the students' passion for food, creativity, and excellence. Through a challenging, hands-on curriculum, based on leading professional standards and post-secondary culinary programs, students are introduced to basic - advanced kitchen skills, which they maintain and expand upon throughout their participation in the program.

Our Team


The Students

West Ashley Culinary partners with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s ProStart® and the South Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association to create an optimal program that prepares students for a successful entry into the industry.

All Culinary Arts students begin their training by learning the importance of safety and sanitation. Throughout their first year in the program, they receive hands-on experience by acquiring the basic skill set necessary in the kitchen. During their second year, students hone those skills and continue to build their foundation with a thorough study and exploration in the world of cuisine and baking & pastry. In their third year of the program, they expand further by enrolling in a hospitality work-based and/or Charleston Regional Youth Apprenticeship program.

Chef/Instructor

Jason Wheless

Jason is the Chef Instructor at West Ashley High School. He earned degrees from the Culinary Institute of Charleston and the New England Culinary Institute. He has nearly twenty years of foodservice experience, ranging from fine dining and catering to personal chef services and education. Chef Wheless created the culinary program in 2009 to focus on "hands-on" learning to maximize the student's understanding and appreciation of the industry.



An ever-changing group of amazing young culinarians


“One of the things I like most is the team environment. Your'e paired with a group of people, work with them, and become friends to get stuff done in the kitchen.”

H.W. - Class of 2023

"The chefs gave me the motivation to commit to culinary and start thinking about creating my own restaurant.”

O.T. - Class of 2021