August 6, 2019
SHL Alumni Profile: Winde Jackson
I graduated from East Carolina University in May of 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management and a minor in Business Administration. During my time at ECU, I competed in the ECU Iron Chef challenge and my team was the winning team—Team WAM (named for the teammates). I already had a passion for baking but going through the food and beverage concentration really sparked my interest and love of cooking even more. I have worked in the hospitality industry most of my life from working at Aramark as a student manager to Pastry Chef and at other restaurants such as The Hen and The Hog and the esteemed Rose Hill Conference Center.
Because of my education and experience being able to work with some amazing chefs, I have opened my own bakery and catering company. I am the proud owner of Winde Jackson Cakes & Catering. I also teach part-time at Nash Community College in the culinary arts and hospitality program and that is all because of my education with ECU.
I attribute much of my success to the educational foundation built at ECU, specifically in the School of Hospitality Leadership. I still have some wonderful professors that have kept in touch with me and have continued to encourage and support me on this journey, and for that, I am truly grateful and thankful. I am proud to say I am an alumnus of the ECU School of Hospitality Leadership.