FREMONT, Ohio — Like many other professions, people who work in hospitality have to stay up to date on certifications to keep working.
That's why Terra State Community College is using federal funding to offer some classes for free.
Every five years, those in the hospitality industry have to recertify in the ServSafe Ohio Food Handler Course.
So the Business Resource Center at Terra State Community College invited many professionals from the area to take their classes on campus.
"Storing food, to the cleanliness of your kitchen, to proper transferring of food if you're doing it offsite or onsite catering events." said course instructor Emily Riehle, director of community education at Terra State.
The biggest perk of this event at Terra State was offering the classes for certification for free, using funding from a federal grant. Usually, the process costs about $200.
"It's wonderful because I needed to be recertified and it helps me brush up on different things that we often forget," said chef Ray Huddleston, who drove from Toledo for the class.
"All of the training that the Business Resource Center does through Terra State is pretty much free of charge," said Carolyn Rodenhauser, Business Resource Manager at Terra State. "This was one of the needs that was brought up at an industry sector partnership meeting."
Along with keeping people employed, these classes ensure the represented bars and eateries will have a staff that fully understands the health code.
With such a strong turnout for the two-day event, organizers expect this to be a regular conference at Terra State, and there are still a few more of the trainings happening during the last two Mondays of January.
"We've already talked about having another one in February and we may be taking on the road as well in other counties throughout the region," said Rodenhauser.
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