Piyavan Sukalakamala (she/her)


Professor College of Hospitality & Business Hospitality Charlotte

Biography and Expertise

Piyavan Sukalakamala, Ph.D., is the first Charlotte faculty member to receive Fulbright Specialist Scholar. Sukalakamala organized the first Johnson & Wales student representation at hospitality venues for The Masters and US Open golf tournaments, and created Study Abroad to Thailand. Sukalakamala has published research and served as a reviewer in many scholarly journals.

Education

PhD
Texas Tech University

MS
Texas Tech University

B.I.D. (Bachelor of Interior Design)
Texas Tech University

ServSafe Food Safety
National Restaurant Association

Johnson & Wales University

Alcohol Seller/Server Excellence Training Certification
Mecklenburg County ABC Board, NC

WSET Certified Educator
WSET Level 2

Faculty Excellence Award
Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte

1st place for the Faculty Idea Fair at the 2025 CMAA World Conference in Tampa, FL
CMAA

Faculty Advisor of the Year Award
Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte campus

Fulbright Scholar (Specialist Program)
Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte campus

Faculty Advisor of the Year Award
Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte campus

Teacher of the Year
Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte campus

Faculty Advisor of the Year Award
Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte campus

WCCB Tasty Tuesday – Live and Recorded (TV)
WCCB
August 4, 2026

What’s The Difference Between Coffee Creamer And Half-And-Half? (Magazine)
Southern Living
July, 2026

What’s The Difference Between Coffee Pods And Coffee Grounds? (Magazine)
Southern Living
July, 2026

Charlotte reacts to new study showing Americans feel guilty about eating out (TV)
Queen City News
March 18, 2024
https://www.qcnews.com/charlotte/2-of-3-americans-feel-guilty-for-eating-out-survey-finds/

Why is hotel room service so hard to stomach? (Newspaper)
Washington Post
March 4, 2024
https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2024/03/04/hotel-room-service-waffles-trader-joes/

Cooking at Noon (TV)
WBTV
May 14, 2019

Cooking at Noon (TV)
WBTV
October 2, 2018

Cooking at Noon (TV)
WBTV
September 6, 2016

Cooking at Noon (TV)
WBTV
November 18, 2014

Cooking at Noon (TV)
WBTV
April 22, 2014

Cooking at Noon (TV)
WBTV
April 1, 2014

Cooking at Noon (TV)
WBTV
December 3, 2013

Cooking at Noon (TV)
WBTV
May 7, 2013

International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE)

Club Management Association of America

Sukalakamala, P.
An Exploratory Study of the Concession Preferences of Generation Y Consumers
Journal of Foodservice Business Research
Vol 16
No 4
378-390

Sukalakamala, P.
Customer Perceptions for Expectations and Acceptance of an Authentic Dining Experience in Thai Restaurants
Journal of Foodservice
18
Issue 2
69-75

From Classroom to Clubhouse
Poster
2026 CMAA World Conference
CMAA
Aneheim
United States

Advocacy for Club Management Careers
Poster
2025 World Conference & Club Business Expo
Club Management Association of America
Tampa
FL
United States

Partnership Development with Student Chapters-“Club Quest” Cross-Chapter Adventure
Poster
2025 World Conference & Club Business Expo
Club Management Association of America
Tampa
FL
United States

Glocal approaches in product adaptation of multinational fast-food chains: A case study of McDonald’s international menu
Poster
The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education Annual Conference and Exposition
The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education
Providence
RI
United States

The Consumer Perspective on Increased Availability of Gluten-Free Foods
Poster
The Annual Asia Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education Federation Conference
The Asia Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education Federation
Hong Kong
China

Generation Y Perspectives towards Stadium Food
Poster
The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education Annual Conference and Exposition
The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education
San Juan
PR

Factors influencing healthy food choices in restaurants: An US consumer perspective
Oral Presentation
The 16th International Conference in Retailing and Services Sciences
The European Institute of Retailing and Service Studies
Niagara Falls
Canada

). Linking teaching, research, outreach, and the student experience through a food industry sponsored special event promotion
Oral Presentation
The European Council on Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Education Conference
The European Council on Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Education
Leed
United Kingdom

Marketing research for Thai frozen food: Reducing the risks and factors for launching new food product into the U.S. market
Oral Presentation
The 11th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research in Hospitality and Tourism
The Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research in Hospitality and Tourism
Seattle
WA
United States