This study was conducted to see if the engagement variables from the "TummySafe 2022" online course as well as the participants' demographic variables were positively correlated with the "TummySafe" certification exam score. The study examined factors that explained participants' exam performance. The results indicated that…

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) (WHO, 2021) disrupted the global health systems and became an unprecedented situation for all industries, including food service when declared a global pandemic in March 2020 (WHO, 2021). Count On Me NC was a training program developed by Safe…

Globally, organizations are experiencing workforce and employee shortages that vary from one industry to another, and the hospitality industry is among the worst affected (De Smet et al., 2022). The primary purpose of this study was to identify and explore factors that contribute to turnover and attrition in the foodservice industry so that…

This qualitative research study explores how recent graduates perceive the influence their on-campus food service job had on their critical thinking development. This study seeks to answer two research questions. The first research question -- "what factors were associated with students choosing to work in food service for multiple…

This qualitative descriptive case study documents the experiences of culinary instructors furthering their learning of emotional intelligence fundamentals. Research participants included a total of 6 participants. The study was implemented as a collaborative inquiry project and was guided by the experiential learning cycle. The research questions…

This study explored the practices and experiences of food resource managers at ten community colleges in the southwestern United States, highlighting their use of food resource rooms to assist food-insecure students. Utilizing the CFIR's domains of intervention source, inner setting, and process, the study probed into the food resource managers'…

The total annual separation rate for the accommodations and food services industry for 2021 was 86.3%. Food service leaders care about high turnover intentions as it leads to increased turnover, negatively impacting service, and profitability. Grounded in job embeddedness theory, the purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine…

The purpose of the study was to explore frontline employee perceptions of the value of their training and how it affected their on-the-job performance. To support this purpose, there were three research questions: "What are quick serve frontline employee perceptions of the scope and value of the frontline employee certification course?"…

This dissertation examines the role that culinary entrepreneurship communities of practice, using Lave and Wenger's Legitimate Peripheral Participation (LPP) model (Lave & Wenger, 1991), can lead to better social and economic inclusion for Middle Eastern Muslim refugee chefs in Utah. The life history approach was used to construct life…

The skills that culinary school graduates gain from the curriculum do not align with the culinary industry requirements for their first position. This problem, if not addressed, will lead to lower enrollment of students and a limited number of employed culinary arts graduates in California. This basic qualitative study aimed to explore California…

This qualitative dissertation study took place in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine the work of school food service professionals as this has implications for all school food service staff. Specifically, this study focused on the role of the cafeteria managers, through their practices, beliefs, the…

Historically, there has been conflict in regards to the perceived value of postsecondary culinary education between those who feel culinary school better prepares students to enter the foodservice industry versus those who claim that claim culinary careers can be entered without formal training and everything that needs be known can be learned on…

Research shows that, despite the population growth rate of Latino/Hispanic communities across the U.S., they remain largely under-represented in professional and leadership roles across the country (Cruz & Blancero, 2016, p. 500). This underrepresentation is compounded when intersected with the gender wage gap. A study conducted by the…

Basic Need Insecurities often impact the ability of community college students to persist and complete their goals. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated BNI for students' forcing administrators to respond to and address BNI. This study will highlight administrators' responses toward BNI and focus on the changes and/or services administrators…

In this dissertation, I explored creativity in practice. I ask: 1) How do the participants define creativity?; 2) In what way does creativity reflect the positioning between actor and resource?; 3) What creative practices emerge when individuals choose to use, or not use, resources?; 4) How do resources mediate creativity? To understand creativity…