As Hillsborough College completes planned renovations to its culinary facilities, students will continue developing their skills in a new learning environment through a partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay. The collaboration creates hands-on learning opportunities for culinary students while connecting them with one of the region's leading nonprofit organizations focused on food security and community well-being. 

Students in Hillsborough College’s Culinary Arts program will now complete laboratory instruction at Feeding Tampa Bay’s Causeway Center in Tampa as the College completes renovations to its culinary facilities. Students will complete culinary laboratory courses in Feeding Tampa Bay's state-of-the-art teaching kitchen, gaining experience in a professional learning environment while continuing their coursework. 

"This partnership represents much more than a shared space," said Dr. Ken Atwater, president of Hillsborough College. "Feeding Tampa Bay was a natural partner because of its fully equipped teaching kitchen and its commitment to serving our community. While our students continue developing their culinary skills, they will also gain firsthand experience at an organization that is addressing some of the region's most pressing challenges. Together, we are creating a learning environment that connects education, workforce preparation and community service." 

For students, the partnership offers more than a temporary classroom. By learning within a nonprofit organization that serves thousands of individuals and families throughout the region, students will gain firsthand exposure to large-scale food operations, nutrition programs and a variety of career opportunities connected to the culinary and hospitality industries. 

Under the agreement, culinary laboratory courses will be conducted at Feeding Tampa Bay's facility, while non-lab coursework will take place at Hillsborough College’s Ybor City campus. The arrangement allows students to maintain progress toward their educational goals while experiencing the operations of a nationally recognized nonprofit organization.  

For Feeding Tampa Bay, the collaboration represents an opportunity to advance its mission through education and workforce development. 

"We are so glad to welcome our longtime partners from Hillsborough College to the Causeway Center, said Thomas Mantz, president and CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay. “Bringing their culinary program onto our campus isn't just about sharing space; it’s about opening doors. When you equip a neighbor with a transformative skill, you do more than help them start a career—you walk alongside a family, shift their trajectory and nourish our entire community." 

Beyond supporting culinary instruction, the partnership opens doors to additional opportunities including internships, workforce training initiatives and volunteer experiences that connect students with meaningful work in the community. 

The partnership places students in an environment where food, nutrition, logistics, hospitality and community service intersect, helping them better understand how culinary skills can be applied in a variety of settings. 

Together, Hillsborough College and Feeding Tampa Bay are creating new opportunities for students to learn in a real-world environment while supporting the communities they serve. The partnership demonstrates how education and nonprofit organizations can work together to prepare students for success while addressing community needs.  

For more information about Hillsborough College’s culinary and hospitality management degree programs and certificates, visit hcfl.edu/academics/subjects/hospitality-and-culinary.