Delaware Tech Celebrates Stanton Campus Culinary Arts Expansion
DELAWARE – Delaware Technical Community College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to celebrate the completion of the culinary arts renovation and expansion at its Stanton Campus. Local and state officials joined College leaders to commemorate the major renovation that increased the culinary arts space at the Stanton Campus to 8,800-square-feet that includes state-of-the-art kitchen equipment, industry-standard technology, and a new dining room.
“This much needed expansion allows us to address the needs of Delaware’s restaurant and food service industry by increasing enrollment in our culinary arts associate degree and baking/pastry diploma programs from 125 students to 225 students,” said College President Mark T. Brainard. “Thanks to the support of our General Assembly, our governors, our Congressional delegation, and private donors, our students can develop their culinary skills using state-of-the-art technology and equipment that will prepare them for the workforce.”
The $16.1 million project was funded through Delaware’s bond bill and former Higher Education Economic Development Investment Fund, federal American Rescue Plan funds, and contributions from the Longwood Foundation, the Welfare Foundation, and a Carl D. Perkins grant. Construction began in January 2024, and the final renovations were completed this spring. The new space expands the Stanton Campus culinary footprint by 5,600 square feet, and students began taking classes in the new space in the spring 2025 semester.
The size of the former kitchen capped the culinary arts program enrollment at a maximum capacity of 125 students and limited the College’s ability to meet workforce needs. This expansion and renovation of the space enables the College to increase the number of students enrolled in the culinary arts associate degree and diploma program by 80 percent. Now, for the first time, the space will also allow us to offer new short-term training needs of the hospitality industry through the Workforce Development Food Preparation Technician Certificate Program.
The renovation not only expanded the main kitchen but also added a second kitchen specifically for baking and pastry classes. In addition, students have access to locker rooms added next to the kitchen area to allow students to change into their culinary uniforms for classes. Also, faculty and staff for the program now have office space next to the Bistro, and the addition of a dumbwaiter allows the easy transfer of food from the kitchen to a new executive board room on the second floor.
About Delaware Technical Community College
Delaware Tech – the First State’s only community college – offers academic, technical, community education, and workforce development comprising more than 120 bachelor’s degree, associate degree, diploma, and certificate programs. The College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Delaware Tech has four campuses across Delaware in Georgetown, Dover, Stanton, and Wilmington. For more information about Delaware Tech, visit www.dtcc.edu.
New Castle County Chamber of Commerce 