LARGO - The Pinellas County School Board joined the Pinellas Education Foundation, Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Dr. Clayton Wilcox, Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverley Billiris and community leaders, September 13, to launch construction of a world-class culinary arts academy at Tarpon Springs High School.
Funded in part through leadership gifts by longtime Tarpon Springs resident, Carol Martin and the Ellmar Foundation, and Richard Jacobson and the Richard O. Jacobson Foundation, the academy will provide training and certification in hospitality and the culinary arts to more than 500 students from throughout Pinellas County. Upon graduation with ProStart Culinary Certification, these students will be capable of pursuing advanced culinary training or be qualified to immediately pursue careers in the growing field of food preparation and restaurant management.
The 14,000 square foot academy is expected to open in the fall of 2007 and will be funded through a capital campaign by the Pinellas Education Foundation. So far, more than $3.3 million has been raised toward a $5 million goal through leadership gifts from the Ellmar and Richard O. Jacobson Foundations, as well as contributions from Enodis USA, Creative Contractors, Denis Greismer; Hoffman Architects, Hooters Management Corporation, Publix Super Markets Charities and SSA Design.