Frederick Community College

Programme overview

Offered by the Hospitality, Culinary & Tourism Institute at Frederick Community College in partnership with the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development and the Frederick County Office of Agriculture, this expert-led program delivers foundation-level entrepreneurship and food service management training. The cohort meets in person over eight weeks at The Monroe Center in Frederick and culminates in a pitch competition where participants present business concepts to local industry and financial partners.

What you'll study

• Fundamental entrepreneurship and small-business concepts, including business planning and financial management.
• Food service operations: front-of-house and back-of-house workflows and kitchen skills.
• Marketing and sales strategies for food businesses.
• Regulatory and sanitation requirements, with preparation to sit for the ServSafe Food Manager (Food Protection Manager) exam.
• Preparation for the Certiport Entrepreneurship and Small Business (ESB) certification.

Entry requirements

The program page does not list formal academic entry requirements. Participation is offered at no cost and interested students are asked to complete the program interest form to express intent to enroll.

Career prospects

Participants are prepared to plan and launch various types of food enterprises — for example food trucks, catering operations, pop-up concepts or brick-and-mortar restaurants — and to pursue industry-recognized credentials valued by employers. The pitch competition connects entrepreneurs with local industry and financial community partners and offers opportunities for monetary awards and tailored mentorship to advance a real business concept. The program also points participants to SBA guidance and local City and County resources for small-business startup and growth.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program is provided free of charge through sponsorship by the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development and the Frederick County Office of Agriculture. Cohorts include awards and scholarships distributed via the pitch competition (listed at $1,000 in awards for the cohort but noted as variable by cohort). Successful participants are eligible to sit for the ServSafe Food Manager and ESB certification exams; earning those credentials is contingent on passing the respective exams.