Last Thursday night, Tim Jones, Pulaski Tech’s Associate Vice President of Public Relations and Marketing, showed Daniel Walker (Eat Arkansas), Greg Henderson (Rock City Eats) and yours truly around the new Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Institute (located at 13000 I-30).

Our evening began with a wonderful, 4-course complimentary dinner. The meal was all part of the Food Production IV class, in which students plan, cook and plate meals for invited guests. Highlights included a main course of deliciously tender veal scallopini, as well as a wonderful pear tarte for dessert.

The meal itself was excellent, but the real highlight of the evening was the post-dinner tour we received of the brand spanking new facility. “World-class” is one adjective which comes to mind. I certainly didn’t expect a building of this magnitude to be located in the outskirts of Little Rock.

The college itself houses around 500 students. Individuals have the opportunity to complete Associate degrees in areas of Culinary Arts, Wine and Spirits, Hospitality Management and Baking and Pastry Arts.

Soup, anyone?

I continued to be in awe of the facilities as the group winded our way through formal food preparation rooms, cooking demonstration areas, chilling facilities and cake-making stations. In particular, I was impressed with the Pulaski Tech’s massive space for its community education culinary courses; these courses give the general public an opportunity to participate in a plethora of cooking classes.

Sessions typically range from 2-3 hours and cost anywhere from $45-$100. Here’s a “taste” of the classes offered: Yeast Breads and Pizza, Holiday Dinner Table-New Ideas and Classics Made Fresh, Appetizers, Pasta Perfection and The Secret of French Sauces.

Upon leaving, I couldn’t help but ponder the endless possibilities and potentially game-changing developments a facility like this could have on our local food scene and the Central Arkansas community.