Students

My Journey to JWU: Kadan Browne ’26

Shannon Hatch
22 June 2022

Although Johnson & Wales University started as a business school in 1914 and currently offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs universitywide, many people associate the institution with culinary excellence. And for good reason: JWU has trained some of the world’s top chefs (take these recent James Beard nominees, for example), and its education has evolved to encompass classic culinary skills and innovative ideas around food. This training allows future graduates to impact sustainability, health and policy. In short, they will change the world.

Incoming first-year culinary arts student Kadan Browne ’26 is hungry for all this and more.

This fall, he’ll iron his chef whites and report to his first day of class at JWU Charlotte. He’ll be surrounded by classmates and a community of support. The College of Food Innovation and Technology (CFIT) Dean Jason Evans, Ph.D., describes it this way, “Here at JWU, your JWU family, including the faculty, the career services staff and all of us at CFIT are here to help you make sense of all of the options the world is going to present to you.”

Here at JWU, your JWU family, including the faculty, the career services staff and all of us at CFIT are here to help you make sense of all of the options the world is going to present to you.

There are many reasons to consider and choose JWU, but committing to a college is a personal choice. Here are Kadan’s thoughts on why he decided JWU was the best fit for his future.

Why did you choose JWU and its culinary arts program?

Kadan Browne: The reason I chose JWU and its culinary arts program is because I love the feeling of bringing people together with good food. JWU was the best option for me to make doing that my career and to also expand my culinary knowledge.

Have you visited the Charlotte Campus? If so, what did you think?

Charlotte campus shot of quad, students talking

I visited the Charlotte Campus back in November 2021, and it was absolutely amazing. I got to meet some of the students, and they were all super helpful. The actual campus itself is also extremely nice and it has many helpful features.

When you think about college, what are you looking forward to the most?

What I’m looking forward to the most in college is the opportunity to soak up all the knowledge from the accomplished chefs that they have there to teach us. I’m excited to learn from what they have experienced over the years.

Collage of culinary students in garden and classroom

Is there anything you can’t wait to learn or do at JWU?

One thing I can’t wait to do is the internships that culinary arts students are required to take. I’m up for the challenge, and I can’t wait to see how much growth I’ll make through the JWU program.

When you think of your college search, who or what has helped you along the way?

I believe the biggest influence on my college choice was my mom. She always pushed me to go for what I love to do, and my advisor also really helped me feel confident and secure in my decision.

Outside of your culinary interests, what do you like to do?

One of the hobbies I have is skateboarding. I’m not necessarily very good at any tricks. But honestly just cruising with the wind in my face is therapeutic enough for me.