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West Ashley Culinary Program
West Ashley Culinary Program
West Ashley Culinary is a hands-on culinary arts and hospitality program built around practice, service, teamwork, and responsibility.
Students develop technical kitchen skills through labs, Bistro service, and hospitality-focused experiences while learning communication, organization, awareness, professionalism, and adaptability inside a working kitchen environment.
The program includes Culinary 1, Culinary 2, and Hospitality Work-Based Learning opportunities connected to the foodservice and hospitality industry.
Our Team
Our Team
What Students Practice
What Students Practice
Knife skills and kitchen safety
Food safety and sanitation
Recipe reading and kitchen math
Cooking methods and flavor development
Baking and pastry fundamentals
Communication and teamwork
Hospitality and guest interaction
Cleaning, organization, and station ownership
Leadership and professionalism
Chef/Instructor
Chef/Instructor
Jason Wheless
Jason Wheless
Jason Wheless created the West Ashley Culinary program in 2009 with a focus on hands-on learning and real kitchen experience.
Drawing from years of experience in restaurants, catering, and culinary education, he built the program around repetition, hospitality, teamwork, responsibility, and practical skill development.
The program emphasizes both technical ability and the habits that help students become more aware, capable, and dependable in the kitchen and beyond.
Student Reflections
Student Reflections
“One of the things I like most is the team environment. You're 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
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