Englewood, Ohio – Elizabeth (Liz) Gratton, a resident of Clayton, was inducted into the Miami Valley Career Technology Center (MVCTC) Hall of Fame on Thursday, October 6, 2016, during the All Advisory Dinner. Gratton, a 2004 graduate of Bethel High School, attended the Culinary Arts program and is now the Senior Culinary Arts Program Instructor at MVCTC.

Liz started off her career in the MVCTC Advanced Placement program as a Culinary Arts students working her senior year in a corporate restaurant, O'Charley's. After MVCTC, Liz went to Johnson & Wales University and completed her Advanced Standing Associates of Science in Culinary Arts Degree and then earned her Bachelors of Business in Hospitality Management at The Ohio State University.  She is currently completing the Career Technical Licensure Program at Wright State University.   

As Liz worked her way through college she became a chef at the Vanderbilt Hall Hotel, in Newport, Rhode Island.  Then spent her internship through Johnson & Wales University at the Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Waters, England.  Liz has always loved to travel and experience cuisines in new places.  She absorbs as much of the local culture as she can.  She was offered a chef position to stay on in England after she finished school but chose to return to Ohio for her family. 

When Liz returned to Ohio, she was given the chance to start the chef program with Kroger Marketplace stores.  She was hired in the very first group of chefs, completed training in Cincinnati, and then began moving around opening Marketplace stores in Southwest Ohio.  Then, Liz was given the opportunity to go back to school to earn her Bachelor's Degree at The Ohio State University.  Liz lived in Columbus for six years while she completed her degree.  She worked her way through college at a privately owned brewery and restaurant in downtown Columbus, the Elevator Brewery.  She also worked at The Ohio State University as a building manager for the student union.  Liz completed her internship through OSU at the Courtyard by Marriott in Springfield and after her internship was complete she was offered a full-time position. 

A rare opportunity to work at a restaurant that specializes in allergies and dietary restrictions came along, and with Liz's personal food allergies and interest in what causes them, she took the job at Olive, an Urban Dive.  Her time there was well spent researching allergens, dietary restrictions, learning about farm to table and actually assisting in the creation and upkeep of the two-acre farm that fed the restaurant year round. 

During her time at Olive, Liz learned of a culinary arts instructor position opening at MVCTC.  It has always been Liz's dream to come back and teach the Culinary Arts Program at MVCTC, and after 10 years in the culinary industry, she was given the chance to do just that. 

Liz shared the following about her MVCTC education, “My MVCTC education and experiences created the foundation that I have built my career on. Thanks to my MVCTC instructor’s dedication and passion, I was able to pursue an advanced pace culinary degree, travel to England, and work in any establishment I choose.”

The ten new MVCTC Hall of Fame members received a special crystal award presented to them by MVCTC Superintendent Dr. Nick Weldy and Director of Instruction Mrs. Rhonda Phillips at a dinner meeting attended by over 350 program advisory members. Their portraits will be displayed in the school and their names will join the other 49 names engraved on a perpetual Hall of Fame plaque in the student activity center. MVCTC Hall of Fame members are inducted every five years from nominations that come from educators, family members, business, and employers. Mrs. Cathy Hutton, Northmont Area Chamber of Commerce Director; Mr. Eddie Mowen, Editor for the Register-Herald, and Ohio Representative Jeff Rezabek judged the Hall of Fame nominations this year.

Dr. Nick Weldy, MVCTC Superintendent, stated “We are proud to honor our returning alumni who have been so successful after leaving the Miami Valley Career Technology Center! Their former instructors provided a firm foundation to assist them in building careers that have blossomed. I appreciate the fact that all of the inductees returned to campus from across the United States to participate in the ceremony and show their dedication to our current mission of educating students to be career and college ready. They serve as inspiring role models for our current students. I congratulate each of our inductees and wish them the best of luck in their quest for continued success.”

For more information about MVCTC, please visit www.mvctc.com.

For over 45-years, MVCTC has been providing career technical education for 27 partner school districts encompassing five counties, including Darke, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Warren Counties.  MVCTC is dedicated to providing in-demand workforce training for youth, adults, and organizations in the Miami Valley. 

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