Ashley McGee (she/her)
Senior Instructor College of Food Innovation & Technology Department of Culinary Arts Charlotte
Biography
Since joining JWU in 2006, Ashley McGee values the rewarding outcomes of preparing the future leaders of the hospitality industry. She received her B.A. in English from UNC–CH before realizing her dream of becoming a chef. She enrolled at CIA and earned an A.O.S. degree in culinary arts after her time at UNC. Most recently, McGee completed her M.S. in Hospitality Management from JWU in 2020.
Most of her 12 years of restaurant experience was in fine dining and independent restaurants, including her own restaurant in coastal North Carolina. McGee finds that drawing on her past experience is what works best with freshmen to explain why our curriculum is relatable and will be relevant for them. McGee loves working with new and experienced students and helping to prepare them for their future in the field they determine fits their goals, no matter which degree focus they choose.
"My theory about food and cooking has always been a symbolic reference to the novel Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. When you cook for others, the meal will always reflect how the cook is feeling at the time, so be confident and cook with love in your heart."
Education
M.S., Johnson and Wales University
Hospitality Management
AOS, The Culinary Institute of America
Culinary Arts
B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
English
MBBQ Master BBQ Cook (2012-)
bbqcookingschool.com
CFSE Certified Food Service Educator (2008-)
Foodservice Educator’s Learning Community
FMP Foodservice Management Professional (2008-)
National Restaurant Association Educational Institute
Food Safety Manager Certification (FSM) (2007-)
National Registry of Food Safety Professionals
Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) (2006-)
American Hotel & Lodging Association
Certified Executive Chef (CEC) (2007-2028)
American Culinary Federation
“Johnson & Wales University explores the intersection of media and food.” McGee, A. (March 29, 2024)
https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2024/03/29/johnson-wales-intersection-media-food.html
“Tools of the Trade, Duke Energy Cookbook 2023.” McGee, A. (December, 2023)
https://www.duke-energy.com/resource-hub/residential
“Preparing for Thanksgiving 2023.” McGee, A. (November, 2023)
https://qclife.wbtv.com/2023/11/16/thanksgiving-planning/
“The Germari Podcast.” McGee, A. (March, 2023)
https://www.germaripodcast.com/
“Duke Energy: The Grassroots Garden Cookbook 2022.” McGee, A. (December, 2022)
https://www.flipsnack.com/CA7AEDEEFB5/duke-energy-2022-recipe-book/full-view.html
“Duke Energy: The Grassroots Garden Promotional Video.” McGee, A. (December, 2022)
https://youtu.be/yYieHWd_410
“So Tell Me…Shake and Bake Stories of Hospitality.” McGee, A. (December, 2022)
https://sotellmepodcast.com/
“WCNC Charlotte Today: Roasted Mushroom Farro.” McGee, A. (October, 2019)
https://www.wcnc.com/video/entertainment/television/charlotte-today/recipe-roasted-mushroom-farro/275-64a65f90-9c20-44cd-9168-ca7208070828
Southern Foodways Alliance
American Culinary Federation
Know Your Foodways, “Know Your Foodways: Biscuits,” JWU CLT CFIT, Charlotte, NC, United States. (2023).
Know Your Foodways, “Know Your Foodways: Cajun versus Creole,” JWU CLT CFIT, Charlotte, NC, United States. (2022).
“Know Your Foodways: Fried Chicken,” JWU CLT CFIT, Charlotte, NC, United States. (2022).