Alumni Spotlight Beth Hooks Tucker '12

Beth became a Skyhawk in 2004 as a 5th grader, and one of her earliest and fondest memories was during this first year making bamboo flutes and deer skin drums with Mr. Mancke as part of Early Technology Week. Traveling abroad with Select Ensemble to Europe as well as class trips with Outward Bound and to Belize provided many memorable moments.

“These trips pushed me out of my comfort zone and brought both our class closer to each other and to our chaperones,” said Beth.

Closer to home, Beth played on the golf and soccer teams and participated in a variety of clubs from Harry Potter to sewing. Another unique interest was her passion for cooking.

“I made it my personal goal to build on my culinary knowledge in any way possible. I was able to do an independent study with Chef David Scarsella in the dining hall in upper school. Chef David taught me everything from how to hold a knife properly to how to order product for an operational dining hall that served over 400 students a day. Chef David is a mentor who has greatly shaped my passion for the hospitality industry.”

In addition to helping prepare lunch for middle school students, Beth led cooking classes and camps for lower school students teaching them the foundations of cooking, safety and sanitation. She also wrote a children’s cookbook and used the children in her class’s drawings as illustrations.

“The knowledge that I gained sparked a passion for hospitality that has driven my career path. I would encourage students to take similar opportunities in their studies at Hammond. There are so many talented, passionate teachers and faculty at Hammond who truly want to help students learn and grow.”

Beth attended the University of South Carolina and studied Hospitality Management and Business Administration. During college, she worked for a wedding planner, caterer, and a few restaurants looking for her dream job in the hospitality industry.

She soon found it joining the Eggs Up Grill team where she was the General Manager of Columbia’s Devine Street location for 2.5 years. As the General Manager, she was able to use the skills learned from Chef David and Hammond as well her college training to manage all restaurant operations.

Currently, she is a hospitality franchise consultant at Eggs Up Grill in their corporate office. As a consultant, she’s rewritten training documents and parts of the Operations Manual for the franchise. She has also opened six new locations in the past six months as a front of house trainer ensuring that each store has the resources, support, and knowledge needed to be successful.

Beth is continuing to build on her leadership skills and will graduate with an MBA from The Citadel in May 2019. She also recently moved to Raleigh, NC, and has been exploring her new city, especially the restaurant scene. To top off a busy year, Beth was married to Braeden Tucker on March 9, 2019, in the Dorothy Walker Memorial Chapel on Hammond’s campus.

“I actually credit both Eggs Up and Mr. Angel for my decision to make Hammond my wedding venue. Soon after I was engaged, I delivered a catering to Hammond for the teachers. While on the campus, I took a walk around to look at all of the new facilities, visited some of my old teachers and ended up in the Chapel. Throughout my Hammond experience the Chapel was my favorite place to sing. Soon after this visit, Mr. Angel came into Eggs Up, and we discussed the possibility of making Hammond my wedding venue. After that, everything fell into place. Reciting vows with Braeden in the chapel is an experience I will never forget.”
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