Help us get National Recognition with the ACF

Career Center in Grand Junction enriches the lives of area high schoolers through hands-on learning. The culinary arts program students operate Fresh Side Cafe, a restaurant open to the public for lunch, and offers catering services to the Grand Valley. Students learn to cook to order, customer service and life skills that will make them successful in the workforce. The current program offers Mesa County Health Department Food Handler Card certification and ServSafe level training. To provide students with even more opportunities, we aim to become accredited by the American Culinary Federation. If accredited, Career Center would be the first secondary education program in Colorado to receive this certification. With approval from the ACF, students will have the opportunity to obtain further certificates that will be recognized nationwide. Students would also be able to compete in ACF events and potentially utilize their job-finding services.

ACF has a fee to inspect the facilities and check the curriculum. Travel expenses must also be covered for up to 3 inspectors. If you have travel miles you'd rather donate, please get in touch with us directly [phone redacted].

Dates have been set for inspection: November 1-2, 2022

Please help us get ACF accreditation and be able to offer nationally recognized culinary certifications to local students.