Thomas K DeRosa


Associate Professor College of Food Innovation & Technology Culinary Arts Charlotte

Biography and Expertise

Chef DeRosa is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, The New England Culinary Institute and Johnson & Wales University. His vast career includes many aspects of the food service, hospitality and educational industry. He has held executive management positions for some of the country’s top food service contractors, private country clubs, healthcare and ownership ventures. DeRosa is currently a full-time educator for the College of Food, Innovation & Technology, Charlotte Campus. He primarily instructs freshman culinary lab courses.

Education

MBA
Johnson & Wales University

BA
New England Culinary Institute

Associate of Occupational Studies
The Culinary Institute of America

AI Labs

ServSafe Food Safety
National Restaurant Association

Certified Executive Chef (CEC)
American Culinary Federation

American Culinary Federation

American Culinary Federation

InInstructor Perceptions of Rubric-Based Assessment in Applied Learning Environments
Poster
ITLC-Lilly Asheville 2026
ITLC-Lilly Asheville 2026
Asheville
Asheville
NC

Professional Development for Assistive Technology in Universal Design for Learning
Poster
ITLC-Lilly Asheville 2026
ITLC-Lilly Asheville 2026
Asheville
Asheville
NC

Managing Generative AI in Culinary Education and Training-Panel Discussion
Panel Presentation
2026 American Culinary Federation National Conference
American Culinary Federation (ACF)
Grand Rapids Convention Center, Michigan
Grand Rapids
MI

Prevention Prevents Detection: Proactive and Practical Strategies for Managing Generative AI in the Culinary Classroom and Kitchen
Oral Presentation
2026 CAFE Leadership Conference
CAFE
Kendall College
Chicago
IL

2025 Educators Summit-Teaching Baking Skills with Confidence: Baking Basics for Every Teacher
workshop
2025 Educators Summit
JWU-Charlotte
JWU-Charlotte
NC

2025 Educators Summite-Creating the Plate
2 day-conference/workshop
2025 Educators Summit-JWU Charlotte
JWU-Charlotte
NC

Culinary Arts Mentorship: Equipping Your Students for College
Oral Presentation
VATFACS-Virginia Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Conference
VATFACS
Conference Center-Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach
VA

“The Art of Culinary Entrepreneurship: Crafting Profitable Menus”
Oral Presentation
Educators Summit
JWU-Admissions
JWU-Charlotte Campus
Charlotte
NC

Cooking with Clarity: Perfecting your Culinary Lab Rubric
Oral Presentation
Educators Summit
JWU-Admissions
JWU-Charlotte
Charlotte
NC

NC FCCLA State Conference
Oral Presentation
2024 FCCLA NC State Leadership Conference
Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC
Greensboro
NC