NTU celebrates ACF accreditation

Posted by Shondiin Silversmith | Mar 5, 2015 | Community |

Navajo Technical University commercial baking program student Delchene Largo works with a fellow student on decorating cake pieces. Largo is in her second semester of the baking program and hopes to open her own bakery some day. (Times photo —Shondiin Silversmith)

CROWNPOINT, N.M.

Navajo Technical University students a part of the commercial baking program prepped several baked goods for their accreditation celebration on Feb. 25. (Times photo – Shondiin Silversmith)

As people sat down at tables covered with white linen, students from Navajo Technical University hustled and bustled in the kitchen.

Students from the culinary arts and commercial baking program danced around the kitchen in order to serve up some quality treats for their accreditation celebration on Feb. 25.

The NTU culinary arts and commercial baking programs received their official accreditation from the American Culinary Federation (ACF) this past January, meaning students who graduate from their programs in the next five years will be accredited under the ACF.

According to the ACF website they are “the culinary leader in offering educational resources, training, apprenticeship and programmatic accreditation designed to enhance professional growth for all current and future chefs and pastry chefs.”

“We had a three year accreditation for culinary, but now we have a five year for culinary and baking,” said Director of Food Services Robert Witte.

Getting accredited was not an easy task, Witte said it was worst then getting a health inspection because the officials that come out go through a rigorous process.