Charleston is renowned as a food paradise, with nearly as many top-notch restaurants in the Holy City as palmetto trees. And the good eating doesn’t stop when you get to campus, as the College itself boasts eight on-campus dining locations, including two all-you-care-to-eat residential restaurants, City Bistro and Liberty Street Fresh Food Company.

Campus Executive Chef Tonya Mitchell.

Campus Executive Chef Tonya Mitchell.

The food at these restaurants has never tasted better, mostly thanks to Chef Tonya Mitchell and her talented culinary staff. In February 2015 Mitchell earned the prestigious ProChef II certification from the Culinary Institute of America. For 10 weeks Mitchell improved her kitchen skills, studying food preparation, kitchen management, best practices for food disposal and more. Then she aced a 4-day exam in Texas that was judged by certified master chefs.

Though kudos go to Mitchell for her hard work, the true beneficiaries of all this training are those in the College community who sit down to eat each day on campus.

“We are extremely proud of Chef Mitchell who worked so hard to achieve CIA ProChef II certification,” says Michelle Crowe, resident district manager of Aramark Higher Education, whom the College has partnered with to provide campus dining services. “We look forward to her sharing her culinary expertise and skills with the entire College of Charleston campus community.”

One of Chef Tonya's delicious creations.

One of Chef Tonya’s delicious creations.

For a taste of the delicious food being served up every day at the College, follow the College of Charleston’s Dining Services on Instagram.