College of Coastal Georgia opens new Terry Thomas Teaching Kitchen downtown

By Terry Dickson terryldickson50@gmail.com

College of Coastal Georgia gave attendees a literal and sweet taste of its culinary arts program Friday as it officially opened the Terry Thomas Teaching Kitchen.

The College of Coastal Georgia Foundation acquired what was then the Village Bakery in 2023 and added floor space, freezers, stoves and other equipment to expand the menu beyond baked goods.

Friday’s ceremonial opening included the official naming of the kitchen after longtime benefactor Terry Thomas. Over the past decade, the Terry Thomas Foundation has given nearly $500,000 in support of programs at the college, Coastal Georgia President Johnny Evans said. The foundation’s most recent gift provided finds for the expansion and renovation of the former bakery, and before that a car wash, into a kitchen teaching space.

“She loved this school,’’ Evans said of Thomas.

There will be $38,000 in scholarships for students in the program, Evans said. Then he called forward Skip Mounts Jr., dean and professor of Economics.

“This place has been a dream of yours,’’ he told Mounts. “You put the idea in my head.”

“This is beautiful, and I thank you for helping with that,’’ Mounts said to representatives of the foundation.

“Dr. Evans and I walked through every building in Brunswick twice,’’ without finding a suitable location until settling finally on the bakery, Mounts said.

Mounts also spoke of his own history since coming to the college in 2011 to start a business school.

“I said, ‘Skip. This is your chance to start over,’’ he said. He noted the college also started over with him. That was when it converted to four-year degree programs.

Mounts also said the kitchen at 1407 Union Street gives the college even more connection to Brunswick.

“There should be no line of distinction between the college and Brunswick,’’ he said.

The college said the location will provide more opportunities for culinary and hospitality students “to participate in internships and educational experiences at local restaurants, hotels, resorts and other culinary establishments. Students will develop industry connections, refine their skills and gain real world insights.”

The last official act was to cut a Coastal Georgia blue ribbon that matched the building’s trim.

“Now it’s time to cut the ribbon so we can go inside and get cookies and get warm,’’ Evans said.

Photos by Terry Dickson. Republished with the permission of The Brunswick News. Originally published in The Brunswick News.