South Central College Culinary Arts Students to Showcase Local Innovation at Verdánt Organics Groundbreaking Celebration on November 10

Students in the South Central College (SCC) Culinary Arts program will play a featured role in the Verdánt Organics groundbreaking celebration on Tuesday, November 10, helping create a unique culinary experience as the company breaks ground on its first indoor growing facility. Following the official groundbreaking ceremony at 2 p.m., guests will enjoy a tasting experience featuring small bites prepared by SCC Culinary Arts students using microgreens provided by Verdánt Organics.

Real-world experiences are a hallmark of the SCC Culinary Arts program, with students regularly preparing and serving food at campus and community events. However, this opportunity takes experiential learning to the next level thanks to the participation of acclaimed chef, author, and four-time James Beard Award winner Andrew Zimmern. A Verdánt advisor and investor himself, Zimmern will review the SCC students’ work and share his expertise, providing a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the nation’s most respected culinary voices.

The collaboration highlights the value of partnerships between education, agriculture and industry. By participating in the event, Culinary Arts students gain industry exposure, demonstrate their creativity, and help spotlight the role of locally grown ingredients in modern cuisine.