Hospitality & Tourism

Julie Thoman

Chef

High School: South Lakes High School/Chantilly Academy ('98)

Career & Technical Ed. Program Studied: Culinary Arts

Additional Studies/Training: Culinary Institute of America (Associate Degree), internships in high school and college

Your Career Is Served

Preparing for a career is a little like preparing a fine meal: it takes time, effort, and a careful blend of ingredients … but the payoff can be equally savory.

Julie Thoman began working toward a career as a professional chef at the age of 16.

“The Culinary Arts program [in high school] was such a good experience for me. I was going to go to a liberal arts school, but I decided to check out this class, and it really changed my life. Chef Doubleday was so inspirational.”

Julie is a firm believer in Virginia’s Culinary Arts CTE program. Like other Family & Consumer Science programs, Culinary Arts is work-focused and, as Julie says, “these courses get you ready for the world!”

Indeed, Julie’s studies got her ready to become a chef at one of the Ritz Carlton hotels—renowned worldwide for high standards of luxury and service.