Faculty/Staff

Eda Alphan

Eda Alphan

Assistant Professor of Instruction
ealphan@usf.edu 
Campus: Sarasota-Manatee

Eda Alphan is an assistant professor of instruction at the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the ßÙßÇÂþ»­â€™s Muma Business College. She earned her PhD, master’s degree, and bachelor’s degree from Gazi University, specializing in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts within the tourism faculty. Before joining USF, Alphan served as a faculty member at Akdeniz University for six years and at Gazi University for two years, where she taught a range of courses including Turkish Cuisine Lab, Introduction to Tourism, Beverages & Bar Management, Hospitality & Tourism Human Resources Management, Food and Beverage Service Management, Introduction to Business, Medical and First Aid, Hospitality & Tourism Career Planning, Pastry and Chocolate Making, and Hospitality Internship.

Alphan focuses on memorable gastronomic experiences, particularly within cooking classes. Her PhD thesis, "The Role of Participation, Emotions, and Motivation on Memorability of Gastronomic Experience: The Case of Cooking Classes," examines how active involvement creates lasting memories in culinary education. Her research interests encompass experiential learning in hospitality education, local food experiences, and the influence of technology on gastronomy.

She has significant industry experience, having held positions such as bar supervisor and food and beverage department assistant manager. Her role at The Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye involved managing protocol dinners for international dignitaries, providing her with expertise in food and beverage protocol and etiquette.

Alphan has also earned a Pedagogical Formation certificate in Education Management and Planning and a certificate in Molecular Gastronomy through the Innovation in Food and Beverage Education Project. She has conducted Turkish cuisine workshops at Northern Lake George Resort in New York.

Teaching

  • HFT 3003 Introduction to Hospitality & Tourism
  • HFT 3068 History & Culture of Beer
  • HFT 3894 International Food & Culture
  • HMG 6246 Organizational Effectiveness (Graduate Level)

Service

  • Organizer, Brunch on the Bay
  • Organizer, Crosley Dinners