ECU to dedicate Golden Corral Culinary Center

GREENVILLE, N.C.   —   Golden Corral, a leader in the hospitality industry, is helping to educate leaders of tomorrow through the new Golden Corral Culinary Center at East Carolina University. 
 
ECU will dedicate the center, located in the Rivers Building on campus, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. James Maynard, founder of Golden Corral and an ECU graduate, and Chancellor Steve Ballard will make remarks.
 
The state-of-the-art kitchen lab resulted from a partnership between ECU and Golden Corral, a longtime partner of ECU’s hospitality management program. 
 
“The new facilities will enhance our educational offerings in the food and beverage area and prepare our students for careers in the hospitality industry,” said Bob O’Halloran, chair of the department. “Our focus is the management of the culinary experience, blending the business of hospitality with creativity and knowledge of food and its preparation and presentation.” 
 
Golden Corral contributed $200,000 to the project. ECU also committed resources. Irwin Roberts, a vice president for Golden Corral and ECU graduate, led the effort to secure donations and discounts from vendors for high-quality kitchen equipment.
 
Renovations began in May 2008, and the new Golden Corral Culinary Center opened to students in January.
 
ECU’s hospitality management program, the largest in North Carolina, helps students develop expertise in three fields: food and beverage, lodging, and convention and event planning.