Secchia Institute for Culinary Education

Crisp white coats. Precision steel blades. Racks of spotless stainless cookware. The trade tools are waiting for that spark of passion and creativity you bring to each class.

Why the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education?

We prepare students for successful careers by providing superior theoretical and hands-on education in the classical and modern culinary arts, and craft brewing.

Upon graduation from any of our degree or certificate programs, you'll be ready to enter an in-demand workforce.
All of our degrees will allow you to transfer credits toward a bachelor's degree at Ferris State University.
Our certificate programs' curricula allow you to enter the workforce or continue your studies toward an associate degree.
Small class sizes led by real-life chefs and industry experts.
We've been consistently awarded American Culinary Federation (ACF) accreditation with exemplary status for 30+ years.

Areas of study

Current students

Advising Contacts

Contact one of the professors to set-up an appointment for advising.

CA180 & CRB180 Internship

You can register for CA 180 Culinary Internship and CRB 180 Craft Brewing Internship through the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education.

Scholarships

There are many scholarships available through Grand Rapids Community College to all GRCC students, as well as the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education students earning our degrees and certificates.

Future students

A student chef presenting a dish to a student.

Tour Secchia

The culinary field offers careers with wide ranging possibilities. The Secchia Institute for Culinary Education offers state-of-the-art learning facilities, world-class chef-professors, refreshing affordability, and comprehensive student support services.

Student sugars a baked good in a culinary lab.

Apply to GRCC

Your first step to becoming a GRCC Culinary major is to apply to GRCC today.

Success Tools

Student meeting with an advisor

Academic & Aid Resources

GRCC is committed to helping connect you to the resources you need.

Students smiling and holding GRCC pennants.

Campus Life

Getting involved on campus is a great way to grow community and inclusion, as well as gain leadership…

Students working in a classroom

Learning Resources

GRCC is committed to helping connect you to the resources you need.

Students lining up for commencement

Student Success Resources & Personalized Help

GRCC is committed to helping connect you to the resources you need.

Student Events

View all events

Beer glass being filled from tap

Craft Brewing, Packaging and Service Operations Certificate Virtual Open House

Sat, Jun 10 2023, 9:30 to 10:30am

Virtual

Craft brew students working in the distillery

Craft Brewing, Packaging and Service Operations Certificate Open House

Mon, Jun 12 2023, 5:30 to 7pm

Student serving a beer in the college pub

Craft Brewing, Packaging and Service Operations Certificate Virtual Open House

Wed, Jun 14 2023, 12 to 1pm

Virtual

Department News

A student working in the GRCC brewery.

Open houses will share how GRCC is updating its Craft Brewing program to best prepare students for an evolving field

'The industry has grown as a whole since the program was first launched. Our revisions designed to meet the changing needs of the industry.'

Signatures of GRCC students on NASA equipment, above the blue box.

GRCC students fall short in NASA HUNCH competition, but their signatures are headed to space

Four Secchia Institute for Culinary Education students competed at the Johnson Space Center, met astronauts.

Launch U students pitchign their project to astronaut Victor Clover.

School News Network feature: Students Cole Herring and Abby Tichelaar share how they pitched edible packaging to NASA

The students are two of four partnering with GRCC in the NASA HUNCH competition.

Victoria Uy

I have always noticed the passion all of my instructors have for the content they are teaching, and it keeps me enthusiastic about learning.

Victoria Uy, Secchia Institute for Culinary Education student

Programs in this Department

Student dresses a pastry with sauce.

Baking and Pastry Arts Certificate

brew

Craft Brewing, Packaging & Service Operations Certificate

student sauces a plate in a culinary class.

Culinary Arts Certificate

student sauces a plate in a culinary class.

Culinary Arts, A.A.A.S.

Students walking in front of the Peter and Pat Cook Academic Hall.

Pathway Degree with Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Brewing Concentration, A.A.

A student chef presenting a dish to a student.

Personal Chef Certificate

A student in the Pre-Hospitality Management program joins the chef at a table in The Heritage Restaurant.

Pre-Hospitality Management (Specialized Management), A.A. (Ferris State University)

Faculty & Staff

Leadership

Werner Absenger

Werner Absenger

Program Director

wernerabsenger@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3690

Professional Support Staff

Marcia Arp

Marcia Arp

Support Professional

(616) 234-3690

Faculty

Sasha Ahmed

Sasha Ahmed

Associate Professor

sahmed@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3695

Wilfredo Barajas

Wilfredo Barajas

Associate Professor

wilfredobarajas@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3712

Audrey Heckwolf

Audrey Heckwolf

Professor

aheckwol@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3705

Allison Hoekstra

Allison Hoekstra

Assistant Professor

allisonhoekstra@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3708

Sean Marr

Sean Marr

Assistant Professor

seanmarr@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3704

Chef Don Ram

Donald Ram

Instructor

donaldram@grcc.edu

Bob Schultz

Robert Schultz

Professor

bschultz@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3706

Holly VanRyn

Holly VanRyn

Associate Professor

hollyvanryn@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3699

Sarah Waller Nicolette

Sarah Waller Nicolette

Assistant Professor

sarahwallernicolet@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3693

Adjunct Faculty

Joseph Carmolli

Joseph Carmolli

Instructor

josephcarmolli@grcc.edu

Molly Daniels

Molly Daniels

Instructor

mollydaniels@grcc.edu

Bill Gayle

Bill Gayle

Instructor

billgayle@grcc.edu

William Hogan

William Hogan

Instructor

whogan@grcc.edu

Christopher Homa

Adjunct Instructor

christopherhoma@grcc.edu

Darrin Mayweather

Darrin Mayweather

Instructor

darrinmayweather@grcc.edu

Doug Orr

Doug Orr

Instructor

Lawrence Poleski

Lawrence Poleski

Instructor

lawrencepoleski@grcc.edu

Jennifer Fillentworth

Jennifer Struik

Instructor

jenniferfillenworth@grcc.edu

Kelly Velting

Kelly Velting

Instructor

kellyvelting@grcc.edu

Staff

Michael Kidder

Michael Kidder

Associate Director of Operations for Culinary Education

mkidder@grcc.edu

(616) 234-3697

Stephanie Smith

Stephanie Smith

Storeroom Manager

stephaniesmith12@grcc.edu

(616) 234-4061