Instructors
| Our Culinary Arts Faculty oversee students in our full-service restaurant, providing a realistic training that prepares students to plan, supervise, and work in food and beverage service operations and other hospitality facilities. The students learn a variety of management functions while working in the kitchen and dining room. |  |
Maura O'Connor
Instructor - Hospitality and Dining Room Services
Culinary Arts
413-863-9456, ext. 182
[email protected]
Born and raised in a small town outside of New York City, Maura O’Connor learned the fast-paced delicatessen business at a young age. In fact, that’s where her love of the food industry originated, and ultimately gave her direction to go to culinary school.
After graduating with her Bachelor of Science in food service management from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI, Maura returned home to work as a manager in corporate food services in Manhattan and Connecticut. She then had the opportunity to work in healthcare as a food service manager where she gained experience catering for fundraising events. Maura states, “I managed all the banquets, it was a great learning experience.”
After a few years, she returned to corporate food service management at several Compass Group locations. Then, prior to moving to Western MA, as store manager for Starbucks, she developed a true passion for teaching. Maura said, “Starbucks has one of the most advanced training programs for their employees, and that became the most important aspect of my management position.” Her work at Liberty Mutual Insurance as a customer service specialist also pushed her toward pursuing a teaching career.
Maura has taught with the Collaborative of Educational Services, and has been on the vocational faculty at the Franklin County Technical School since 2019 .
She runs the hospitality and dining room services aspects of the Culinary Arts Program, and has been a licensed vocational teacher in Massachusetts since 2016. Maura recently earned her Master's Degree in Vocational Education.
413-863-9456, ext. 182
A proud FCTS alum, Chef Kelly returned to his alma mater in 2023 to share his passion for culinary arts with the next generation of students. Chef Kelly took a non-traditional approach to his culinary education, mastering his craft without attending college and instead learning through hands-on experiences alongside the many talented chefs he's encountered.His journey has led him to cook for famous celebrities, sports players, and politicians, all while honing his skills in a variety of culinary settings. In addition to being a talented chef, he is also a dedicated Pit Master, running his own newly founded barbecue business, Bernardston BBQ Company. His unique background and real-world experience inspire students to think creatively and ambitiously as they pursue their own culinary careers.