Above photo: Chris Panne, Teacher, and Rose Mercer

SCHOHARIE – The Capital Region BOCES Culinary Arts and Hospitality Technology program received an “exemplary” accreditation rating this month from the American Culinary Federation (ACF).

The accreditation for the program on the Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus follows a tour and review of the program earlier this school year.

During a two-day stay, a pair of ACF chefs interviewed students, alumni, faculty and staff, observed teacher Chris Snye work with students, reviewed records, and toured the campus. 

The program has had elite accreditation for several years. The program at the Career and Technical Education Center is also accredited by the ACF.

Capital Region BOCES Managing Program Coordinator-Business & Community Partnerships Nancy Liddle said the accreditation is important for not only BOCES, but the students.

“The ACF accreditation means a lot to our program and to our students,” she said. “Students who graduate from an ACF-accredited program are considered to be more marketable and have the opportunity to become ACF members and gain stackable credentials.”

Schoharie CTE Campus Principal Matt Ward said the recognition is the result of the work of Snye and TA Cassie Farnum. 

“This recognition is a direct result of the outstanding collaboration and attention to detail demonstrated by Chef Snye Teaching Assistant Cassie Farnum. Their dedication helps our students grow and succeed in the culinary field, and I am very proud of the work they do,” Ward said. 

For his part,  Snye said the accreditation process is as valuable as the actual accreditation.

"It is great to have the ACF visit to validate our program and to have the kids experience the process of the chefs reviewing our culinary standards that we implement daily in our program,” he said. “Students will be able to carry these ACF experiences—and the standards—throughout their futures.”

Chris Snye, Teacher, and Madison Czechowski