Center for Entrepreneurship & Culinary Science Opens at CCM
Innovative Learning Space Fuels Opportunity for Students, Entrepreneurs and the Community
County College of Morris (CCM)
hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony today celebrating the opening of its Center for Entrepreneurship & Culinary Science (CECS). The CECS represents a groundbreaking collaboration between the college, the Morris County Chamber of Commerce and businesses. It is designed to fuel innovative learning and economic opportunity for students, entrepreneurs and the broader community. The CECS will offer new and expanded programs in business and culinary science, creating pathways for entrepreneurs and community members who are seeking to launch or strengthen their business while supporting economic growth across Morris County and beyond.
The event also celebrated a generous gift from former CCM Board of Trustees Chairperson and CCM Foundation member Tom Pepe and his wife, Donna Pepe, the Board’s current Treasurer. In recognition of their generosity and longstanding support of the college, CCM unveiled the Tom & Donna Pepe Pavilion, a new, large event space within the CECS.
Speakers at the event highlighted the significance of the new center and its role in fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth across the region.
“Students at CCM don’t just receive an extraordinary education, they gain real insight from world-class leaders working in their fields,” said Dr. Anthony Iacono, president of CCM. “That kind of experience prepares them for opportunity and helps ensure our workforce remains strong and competitive. By connecting CCM with industry, we are strengthening the region’s entrepreneurial landscape and driving sustainable economic development in Morris County.”
Senator Anthony M. Bucco noted, “Good things are always happening at CCM. The opportunities that students have here at County College of Morris, are ones they often don’t get at four-year universities…to launch into career paths. That’s what it’s all about.”
“Innovations like the one we celebrate here today, are why New Jersey’s community colleges are having a $12.8 million impact on that state’s economy. Community colleges support 135,000 jobs across the state because of the investments that are made in the system,” said Aaron Fichtner, Ph.D., New Jersey Council of County Colleges President.
Center for Entrepreneurship
The Center for Entrepreneurship is designed to support innovators, founders and business creators at every stage of development. Through certificates, associate degree programs and non-credit workforce training, CCM is building a dynamic ecosystem that fosters targeted skill development, flexible academic pathways and hands-on entrepreneurial learning. Entrepreneurs will have access to practical business tools, mentorship, industry expertise and talent development resources to help guide ventures from idea validation through launch and growth.
Building on this initiative, CCM is also expanding community partnerships and entrepreneur-focused programming. In collaboration with the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, the college is developing a business-focused speaker series to connect entrepreneurs with industry leaders, founders and subject-matter experts, providing access to insights, mentorship and business resources.
“This new space represents opportunity and provides space for collaboration, it’s vital to the future of our county and regional economy,” said Meghan Hunscher, President & CEO, Morris County Chamber of Commerce.
To learn more about CCM’s career pathways in Business & Entrepreneurship, visit https://www.ccm.edu/pathways/business-entrepreneurship/.
Culinary and Hospitality Arts Institute of New Jersey (CHAI-NJ)
The CECS will serve as the home of the Culinary and Hospitality Arts Institute of New Jersey (CHAI-NJ), which is dedicated to preparing executive chefs, and hospitality leaders to meet the growing industry demand across the region. Students will learn in a state-of-the-art baking kitchen, designed to reflect today’s professional culinary environments, gaining hands-on experience with industry-grade equipment. CHAI-NJ combines culinary expertise with an entrepreneurial mindset, preparing students for successful careers.
To learn more about CHAI-NJ, visit https://www.ccm.edu/departments/hospitality-management-culinary-arts/. To learn more about career pathways in Culinary & Hospitality, visit https://www.ccm.edu/pathways/culinary-hospitality/.
“This (Center) is going to be a wonderful addition to feeding restaurants with young talent,” said David Burke, an internationally acclaimed chef and keynote speaker at the event.
He was glad to see that New Jersey is taking the culinary arts seriously, and programs like this will expand the offerings of world-class meals.
“This education will prepare them not just to get jobs, but open restaurants, launch a company, lead hospitality teams, and serve up the next generation of innovators, chefs and businesses, right here in Morris County,” said Stephen H. Shaw, Morris County Commissioner Director.
“Thank you to everyone who helped bring this vision to life,” said Lauren Inganamort, County College of Morris Board of Trustees Vice Chair. “We want to especially thank our state legislatures and county commissioners for their support of this center. Today, we aren’t just cutting a ribbon, we are opening doors.”
Internationally Acclaimed Chef and Restaurant Owner David Burke was the keynote speaker at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Culinary Science (CECS) at CCM.
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