Professional Foodservice Design Certificate
The FCSI Educational Foundation in collaboration with Western Kentucky University
is launching an innovative foodservice design certificate program designed for working
professionals in the foodservice design space and those who would like to begin a
career in foodservice design. The program was developed with the working professional
in mind, classes will be delivered online through the BlackBoard online learning system
and eight days of experiential in-person instruction.
Successful completion of the program will culminate in a FCSI recognized certificate
of completion in Food Service Design.
2025 Cohort Course Information
Class size is limited to 15, providing more one-on-one instruction and individualized feedback.
Program Dates: March 2025 - July 2025
Tuition: $3699.00/person
Includes:
- Instruction from Certified Instructors
- Access to all materials required for the course including textbooks
- Some meals and transportation when attending in-person classes
- For in-person classes, we have secured rooms at the Staybridge Suites for only $99 per night.
Bowling Green, KY is about 65 miles north of Nashville, TN and 100 miles south of Louisville, KY.
Successful completion of the program will culminate in a FCSI recognized certificate of completion in Food Service Design.
To sign up for the program, please use the link below:
| Module 1: March 17th - April 27th | |
|---|---|
| Food Service Sanitation | Food service sanitation delivers the principles of food safety, including equipment, kitchen flow, and design. The class culminates with the Nationally recognized ServSafe Manager’s exam. |
| Materials and Finishes | Julia Williams, an NCIDQ certified Interior Designer with years of experience in teaching and professional design work, will guide students in learning the preferred materials for kitchens, including flooring, work surfaces, walls, and much more. |
| Module 2: April 28th - June 15th (In-person classes: June 4th - June 7th) | |
|---|---|
|
Commercial Foods |
The instructor, Ann Embry, a Registered Dietitian with over 20 years of food service management experience, will teach you the ins and outs of kitchen operations as well as discuss the equipment used in the storage, production, and delivery of food. You will be on campus for four days in June where you will learn to use commercial cooking equipment in the WKU commercial kitchen, tour commercial kitchens and visit food service equipment manufacturing plants. |
| Digital Design | Our instructor, Sheila Flener a NCIDQ certified interior designer and your textbook author, will work with you to develop your digital design skills by teaching Revit, a design software used extensively in the industry. You will have an opportunity to work with Sheila in the design studio during your four on-campus days. |
| Module 3: June 16th - July 27th (In-person classes: July 10th - July 12th) | |
|---|---|
|
Menu and Supply Chain Management |
Menu Planning and Supply Chain Management will include discussions on the process of writing menus, types of menus, recipe production, purchasing equipment, reading specification sheets, and different equipment classifications and certifications. |
| Food Service Design | This CAPSTONE class brings the knowledge and skills learned through your previous classes together. You will design commercial kitchens and hear from a multitude of industry experts regarding the different principles of Food Service Design. This class incorporates 3 days on WKU’s campus providing an opportunity to have individualized feedback on your working designs as well as discussions with industry professionals. |
Dr. Ann Embry
Dr. Embry earned her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and her master’s degree in Adult Education from Western Kentucky University. Later in her career, she obtained her PhD in Hospitality Management from Iowa State University. With over 20 years of experience in dietetics and the food service industry, she now serves as the Applied Human Sciences Interim Department Chair and as an Associate Professor at WKU, where she shares her expertise with her students and colleagues. Additionally, she currently lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with her husband, Todd, and their son, James.
Sheila Flener
Sheila Sullivan Flener is a senior Interior Design Instructor at WKU and has been with the university since 2004. With 25 years of experience with AutoCAD software and 12 years of experience with Revit software, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Sheila holds her NCIDQ certification and is a Licensed Interior Designer in Kentucky and Tennessee. Her research interests lie in the adaptive reuse of structures, and she has extensive experience in commercial design. She was awarded the CHHS Teaching Award in 2022 for her outstanding contributions.
Julia Williams
Julia Williams is an instructor of Interior Design. Following a three-decade career in commercial interior design, Ms. Williams focuses on preparing individuals for a professional career in the field. Ms. Williams adds to the classroom experience by incorporating exercises that focus on realistic aspects from her professional design experience. She currently teaches a variety of classes including materials and finishes, Studio I, Studio II, Business practices, Food Service Design and more.
Julia Williams is NCIDQ certified and has experience in larger urban markets as well as smaller regional markets. She has worked as an interior designer at architectural firms and commercial furniture dealerships and as a design contractor. Ms. Williams’ clients include those in the hospitality, healthcare, corporate and educational sectors as well as residential clients.
Ms. Williams earned a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska College of Architecture with a specialization in interior design, a program designed for individuals wanting to become design educators. She also has bachelor’s degrees in interior design and art history. Julia loves to travel and enjoys student trips to industry markets and events. She is currently the faculty advisor for the WKU IIDA campus center.
