Peter Lawrence was named director of the Culinary Institute at Carolina, a part of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management, effective Feb. 2.

Lawrence, who attended the California Culinary Academy, graduated from USC in 2003 and is pursuing a ,aster's degree in sociology at USC. He has been a chef instructor for the Culinary Institute at Carolina since May 2005.

"The college welcomes Peter Lawrence as the new director of the Culinary Institute at Carolina," said Pat Moody, dean of the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management. "Chef Lawrence is an experienced chef who is planning to take the Culinary Institute to the next level as we prepare to offer day classes and to expand our highly successful program that is developing culinary leaders for the state's restaurant industry."

Lawrence is a member of several academic and volunteer organizations, including USC's Psi Chi honor society; Alpha Kappa Delta, an international sociology honor society; the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation; and Volunteers of America. He is also a gold medal winner in the Texas Chef's Association Culinary Competition.

The Culinary Institute at Carolina is setting the standard for excellence in culinary arts. The program provides hands-on training to enter the industry with a 10-course certificate program.

For more information about the Institute, call Becky Moody at 749-9688.

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