Hazel B. Ramos-Cano began her career in the humanities in the early 60’s but soon found that her true passion was in the culinary arts. She began her catering career while still in graduate school and has continued ever since. She has catered events as large as 10,000 people for Northern Telecom in the Research Triangle Park, NC.. She has catered a wedding in Abingdon for 800 people including the Governor of Virginia. She started and owned a successful restaurant in the downtown section of Raleigh, North Carolina. She has served as Food Service Manager and Executive Chef for various organizations, including a 1500 student privately owned resident dormitory at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Additionally, she has eight years experience as a culinary instructor at Wake Tech Community College in North Carolina. She owned Withers Hardware Restaurant in Abingdon. She served as Executive Chef at the restaurant. She nows enjoys teaching culinary skills at The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, VA.