News 14 Carolina's Bryn Hough has more on the job market awaiting these graduates.
CHARLOTTE -- More than 1,600 Johnson and Wales University culinary students traded their aprons and chef spoons for caps and gowns Saturday, and this year, the school has an additional reason for celebration.
"It's very exciting for us because we're graduating our first Bachelor’s degrees here today," said assistant professor Joseph Benedetto
Nearly 550 of those who arrived at the school as freshmen received their four-year degrees Saturday at Time Warner Cable Arena, something Johnson and Wales alumnus Ramon Taimanglo, executive chef at Roosters, says will help them in the future.
About 1,600 Johnson and Wales students received their diplomas Saturday.
"I think it's awesome, you know, to get it all done in one turn instead of trying to divide it into two colleges," he said.
When the culinary school opened in Charlotte, it came with the promise of great chefs and great restaurants in the Queen City. Now, its first four-year grads are hitting the job market during tough economic times. But Benedetto does not seem worried about their chances.
"Yes, it is tough economic times for all of us, really, but I don't think that's going to prevent us from eating or serving or finding jobs in the industry," he said.
Johnson and Wales says it has a 98 percent employment rate and it expects 60 percent of Saturday's graduates to get jobs in the Queen City.