West Palm Beach Chef, Internet Host Honored for Outstanding Achievements and Contributions

Distance Education Leader and Distance Education and Training Council Recognize Graduate Falan Taylor

NORCROSS, Ga., March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu) announced today that Ashworth alumnus, Falan Taylor, West Palm Beach, FL, has been presented with a certificate of recognition from the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110315/DC57175)

The DETC annually recognizes outstanding graduates having achieved a degree of celebrity within their career field and continue to make positive contributions to the community. Taylor is among eight graduates from accredited DETC member distance education institutions to receive this designation for 2011.

Taylor, a 2004 graduate of Ashworth College's Gourmet Cooking and Catering program, is currently Executive Chef for Gourmet Services Inc., an Atlanta-based foodservice industry leader specializing in school districts, colleges and universities, and corporations. She is also known for being the creator and host of the popular online cooking show, "Housewife Cuisine" and author of a best-selling cookbook by the same name.

"As someone who demonstrates how her online education has made positive contributions to her professional success, Falan is clearly a role model. We're proud to have her as an Ashworth alumna," said Gary M. Keisling, Ashworth College Chairman and CEO.

Distance education helped to turn a family legacy into a rewarding career

By age 15, Taylor had already decided to follow in her mother's and grandmother's footsteps as both a professional cook and caterer. However, no one anticipated that that her passion for food would take her to an entirely new level as a multi-media sensation.

Since its inception, "Housewife Cuisine," has become a popular online cooking series. Entertaining and relatable, Taylor has made gourmet cooking something the everyday housewife or working mom can feel confident doing. It's this practical approach to cooking that has helped these demonstrations to steadily build a loyal base of more than 375,000 followers.

Garnishes and knife skills to family suppers, she specializes in recipes to fit the busy lifestyle of today's working mom and her online viewers are able to follow each "webisode" and cook right along with her.

Taylor began her culinary training as a military spouse. It was her former husband's deployment to Italy that inspired her to pursue formal culinary training both locally and as a student in Ashworth's Gourmet Cooking and Catering Program. Returning state-side, she continued studying at the Texas Culinary Academy's Le Cordon Bleu program.

"Ashworth not only gave me my first formal culinary training, it also gave me the confidence to write and publish my first cookbook, 'Housewife Cuisine,'" Taylor said.  "Thanks to Ashworth I got a foot in the door and a major leap in my career."

Ashworth College and DETC also recognized Rodney Campbell, Raeford, NC, as the 2011 Outstanding Graduate. A four time Ashworth College graduate, the U.S. Army veteran is currently pursuing a Master's of Science Degree in Management with Ashworth College.

"Our success is best viewed through the lens of what has happened to our graduates -- how they put their knowledge and skills to work to make a better life…how they achieve their goals," said Michael P. Lambert, DETC Executive Director. "It's gratifying to read about the successes of the graduates of our accredited colleges."

About Ashworth College

As a leader in online education, Ashworth College has built a tradition of excellence spanning 25 years, offering students worldwide more than 115 online college degrees, online career certificates, online career training and high school online diplomas that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth also offers military education online as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Norcross, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. James Madison High School is further accredited regionally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI). SACS CASI is an accreditation division of AdvancED.

For more information about Ashworth College and James Madison High School, please visit hhtp://ashworthcollege.edu.

About DETC

The DETC is a voluntary, non-governmental, educational organization that operates a nationally recognized accrediting association, the DETC Accrediting Commission.

Since its inception, DETC has worked to promote sound educational standards and ethical business practices within the distance education. The U.S. Department of Education supports DETC as the "nationally recognized accrediting agency" under terms of Public Law.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Gary Keisling

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=93046

SOURCE Ashworth College