The South Carolina Department of Education offers two high-quality pathways within the Hospitality and Tourism career cluster, Culinary Arts Management and Hospitality and Tourism Management to prepare students for success in one of the state’s largest industries. At Lancaster Career Center, these programs provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and hands-on experience through work-based learning, earn postsecondary credit, and achieve industry-recognized credentials while still in high school.

Hospitality and Tourism is designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the travel and tourism industry, emphasizing planning, marketing, management, finance, operations, technical and production skills, technology, human relations, community engagement, environmental awareness, and safety. As a $23.8 billion industry supporting one in every ten jobs and generating $1.8 billion in state and local taxes, tourism is vital to South Carolina’s economy and this program helps students become part of that success.

Students may earn industry-recognized certifications including ServSafe Food Handler, ServSafe Food Service Manager, YouScience Nutrition, YouScience Baking & Pastry, Stop the Bleed safety certification and the National Restaurant Association ProStart Culinary Certificate of Achievement, and the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Fundamentals Cook (C.F.C.) credential. Graduates of the program go on to pursue further education or begin successful careers in restaurants, hotels, resorts, and tourism-related businesses across the state.

Nationally Recognized Certifications offered:

ServSafe Food Handler certification

ServSafe Food Service Manager Certification

Stop the Bleed Certification

YouScience Nutrition Certification

YouScience Baking & Pastry Certification

National Restaurant Association ProStart Culinary Certificate of Achievement

American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Fundamentals Cook  (C.F.C.)

Students can earn up to 11 points on the SC Department of Education tiered certification requirements.  To be designated "career ready" under South Carolina's Career and Technical Education (CTE) tiered certification system, students must be a program completer and earn a minimum of three points through industry-recognized credentials. 

Student Outcomes by school year:

School Year 2025-26

26 Stop the Bleed

25 ServSafe Food Handler Certification

17 ServSafe Food Service Manager Certification

8 YouScience Nutrition Certification

8 YouScience Baking & Pastry Certification

8 National Restaurant Association ProStart Culinary Certificate of Achievement

8 American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Fundamentals Cook  (C.F.C.)

17 2025 Culinary Arts Management Completers (Graduates of the program)

School Year 2024-25

35 ServSafe Food Handler Certification

14 ServSafe Food Service Manager Certification

13 YouScience Nutrition Certification

9 YouScience Baking & Pastry Certification

9 National Restaurant Association ProStart Culinary Certificate of Achievement

12 American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Fundamentals Cook  (C.F.C.)

13 2025 Culinary Arts Management Completers (Graduates of the program)

School Year 2023-24

39 ServSafe Food Handler Certification

11 ServSafe Food Service Manager Certification

7 YouScience Baking & Pastry Certification

2 National Restaurant Association ProStart Culinary Certificate of Achievement

10 American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Fundamentals Cook  (C.F.C.)

10 2024 Culinary Arts Management Completers (Graduates of the program) 

School Year 2022-23

39 ServSafe Food Handler Certification

9 ServSafe Food Service Manager Certification

8 National Restaurant Association ProStart Culinary Certificate of Achievement

16 American Culinary Federation (ACF) Certified Fundamentals Cook  (C.F.C.)

Take a look at the student calendar.  

Please email with any appointment needs and communications.