Culinary Arts Program Accredited by American Culinary Federation Education Foundation

CUMBERLAND, Md. (Oct. 31, 2023)—Allegany College of Maryland is proud to announce that its culinary arts degree program is now accredited by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation’s Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC). ACFEFAC is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation. 

Accreditation from ACFEFAC creates public trust. According to ACFEFAC’s website, trust is created by “ensuring established standards, accountability and credibility, a high level of professionalism, and up-to-date and current practices.”  

"This signals that our program and our instructors are held to a higher standard than most," said Debra Swope, program director of the college's hospitality management and culinary arts programs. "It [the application process] was hard work, but it's well worth it for how it benefits our hospitality management and culinary arts students and our community." 

ACM’s associate of applied science degree in culinary arts is a two-year program that offers students experience in the basics of cooking and baking. Program students gain invaluable experience as staff in the student-run Culinaire Café in Cumberland’s downtown. More information about the degree program is available at www.allegany.edu/school-of-hospitality-culinary

The Culinaire Café, which provides lunch service on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the fall and spring semesters, was renovated to expand student workspace in the open kitchen layout and offer a more modern space for gathering while maintaining the building’s distinctive art deco style.  

To learn more about the program’s accreditation or the ACM School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, contact Debra Swope at 301-784-5410 or dswope2@allegany.edu.