(Lake Charles, Louisiana) – Jerry Sonnier, Culinary Arts Program Coordinator and Chef, at SOWELA Technical Community College, received the Customer Service Star Award for the Fall 2025 semester at the annual Employee Christmas Luncheon earlier this month.
Those nominating Sonnier stated, “Chef Sonnier is a great role model for customer service at SOWELA. He is always dedicated to serving the students, faculty, staff and the community. Chef always does what is best for the College. He consistently wears a smile and maintains a pleasant demeanor. He is willing to help where help is needed and loves meeting the needs of others.”
Chef Sonnier holds a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and the rank of Associate Master Instructor. He is an American Culinary Federation Certified Culinary Educator and holds several industry certifications. Chef Sonnier has coordinated and maintained the American Culinary Education Federation (ACFEF) Culinary Program Accreditation since the department became accredited under his leadership. He has 34 years of experience teaching in and coordinating Culinary Arts programs at SOWELA and South Louisiana Community College as well as 36 years of experience as an executive chef, banquet chef, pastry chef, and consulting chef.
SOWELA’s Customer Service Star Committee selects award winners from nominations submitted by faculty and staff of the College. The award is given to an outstanding faculty or staff member each spring and fall.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College offers dynamic instruction and practical learning opportunities that prepare students to seamlessly transfer or to excel in today’s workforce. For more information, visit www.sowela.edu.