Faculty Spotlight: Lauren McCoy
It’s Faculty Friday and Lauren McCoy is in the spotlight!
When it comes to the food and beverage industry, few are more passionate than BCC’s very own Lauren McCoy, recently promoted to Culinary Arts Coordinator after serving as an instructor.
Lauren brings more than 20 years of experience to the kitchen table—beginning with working a pizza prep station at just 16 years old and growing into roles as kitchen manager, bakery owner, front of house manager, coordinator of new dining concepts, pastry chef, banquet chef, and even Scoop Specialist at U.S. Foods, where she shared the latest industry trends and innovations with clients nationwide. Along the way, she earned her degree in Culinary Arts from Marshall Community & Technical College at Marshall University in Huntington, WV.
About 11 years ago, Lauren and her husband relocated to North Carolina to raise their four children. She stepped back from the fast-paced industry to focus on family, but when the opportunity arose about three years ago to teach Culinary Foundations at BCC, she knew it was the right move.
“Teaching here reignited my love for this field,” Lauren said. “I enjoy everything about BCC—the students, my colleagues, and the leadership. The mindset here is visionary, with endless possibilities to prepare people for the workforce. We’re growing quickly, and I believe we’ve only just scratched the surface of what’s possible—especially in the food and beverage arena.” Now, as Culinary Arts Coordinator, Lauren is bringing that vision to life.
“My goal is to connect with every restaurant from Calabash to Leland,” she explained. “I want to understand each one’s unique needs and show them how BCC can help—even if it means creating tailored training for individual restaurants. At the same time, we want our students to leave here with skills that go beyond the kitchen—including knowing how to welcome guests, deliver great service, and carry themselves as true professionals.”
As a mom of four, Lauren also values the broader perspective of what BCC offers families in Brunswick County: a supportive campus, caring instructors, forward-thinking leadership, and scholarships that make education more accessible.
Lauren knows what it takes to succeed in the food industry—because she has done it all. And now she’s channeling that experience into making BCC the region’s go-to resource for restaurant training and workforce development. After all, when it comes to preparing students for success, Lauren doesn’t just have the scoop—she helps create it.
September 2025
