The Culinary Arts degree program is an excellent place to expand your interest and knowledge in the culinary arts. Chefs, cooks, and food preparation workers prepare, season, and cook a wide variety of foods from soups and appetizers to entrees and desserts in the college kitchens.
The culinary arts school, in cooperation with our academic partners, offers students a variety of food and culinary classes that lead the student from an introduction to food through more advanced studies in professional cooking, dietetics, and baking. Area chefs are involved in teaching a variety of our food and culinary courses in our Culinary Arts degree program.
Title: Associate Professor of Hospitality Management & The Wanda Cain Chair of Hotel and Restaurant Management
Email: mkoogler@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Hotel Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts
Education: B.B.A., University of New Mexico, 1985; C.P.A., State of Arizona, 1989; M.B.A., Northern Arizona University, 1990; CHE (Certified Hospitality Educator), 2015; Ed.D., University of Missouri, 2020
Dr. Lamae Koogler brings over 30 years of accounting practice and hospitality industry experience to College of the Ozarks. She earned her BBA in Accounting from the University of New Mexico, an MBA from Northern Arizona University, and practiced in both New Mexico and Arizona before serving as an Assistant Professor at Northern Arizona University for three years. After gaining experience in theme park management, lodging management, and corporate training, she owned and operated restaurants in Texas for 15 years. Most recently, she earned her doctorate degree from the University of Missouri in Educational Leadership. In 2014, Lamae started her service with the College in the hospitality/event management and culinary arts department.
Title: Instructor of Culinary Arts and The Walter L. Green Chair of Hotel and Restaurant Management
Email: bmckinney@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Culinary Arts
Education: B.S. College of the Ozarks, 2019; M.P.S. Missouri State University, 2024
Mrs. McKinney begain teaching at College of the Ozarks in 2025. Her biography is forthcoming.
Careers
We have compiled a document outlining current job openings that have been shared with our department. Additionally, we have included a selection of past internships completed by our students to provide incoming and current students with insight into potential opportunities and career pathways.