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Bon Appétit: Become an Expert in the Kitchen at El Centro

Last updated on July 23, 2019

Do you enjoy cooking or have a creative flair in the kitchen? Are you interested in an exciting career in culinary arts? If so, head to culinary school at El Centro College in downtown Dallas. El Centro is the only college of DCCCD that offers the Food and Hospitality program. This program is designed to give students hands-on experience to prepare them for one of three exciting food service careers.

What Degrees and Certificates in Food and Hospitality Does El Centro Offer?

Students can choose from the Culinary Arts, Bakery/Pastry or Food and Hospitality Service specialties where they will receive training with experienced professionals. The Food and Hospitality Institute is an accredited program by the Accrediting Commission of the American Culinary Federation.

One way you can start a career in culinary arts is by learning about preparing, cooking and presenting food. People who work in this field typically work in restaurants.

Culinary Arts Associate Degree and Certificate Options

Bakery and Pastry Degree and Certificate Options

A bakery/pastry chef is skilled in the making of pastries, desserts, breads and other baked goods. These degree plans will prepare students to work in bakeries, pastry shops, hotels and country clubs.

Food and Hospitality Degree Options

Food and Hospitality Service students will learn to work in a wide variety of food service positions.

What Are the Different Job Roles in the Kitchen?

  • Chef: a professional cook
  • Chef de cuisine: executive chef’s right-hand person usually in a larger organization setting such as a hotel chain
  • Chef de garde-manger (cold station): responsible for setting the dishes that do not require heat, such as salads and sometimes desserts
  • Executive chef: oversees everything that goes on in the kitchen, from coordinating the kitchen staff to preparing meals
  • Expediter: serves as the liaison between the customers and the line cooks
  • Line cooks: in charge of cooking food
  • Pastry chef: in charge of making breads, cakes, candies and desserts
  • Sous-chef: in charge of the kitchen’s production such as taking inventory, supervising staff and coordinating daily specials

How Much Does It Cost to Go to Culinary School?

At just $59 per credit hour, Dallas Community Colleges have some of the most competitive tuition costs in the state! Head to our website to calculate your in-county tuition cost. (Not a Dallas County resident? No worries — we’ve got a calculator for that, too.)

Is There a Dress Code in the Kitchen?

El Centro students are required to wear a culinary school uniform in the kitchen. This uniform includes white chef jacket, black or houndstooth pants, chef hat, apron, kitchen shoes, socks and T-shirt. Ink pen, sharpie and instant read thermometer must be in your sleeve pocket.

Can I Take Culinary Classes Online?

Students can take the majority of their basic courses online such as English, science, mathematics, history, etc. However, the majority of culinary classes are not offered online. This is so that students can receive as much hands-on training as they can in the classroom learning various specialized skills and techniques.

Will My Culinary Degree Pay Off?

Everything is bigger in Texas, including job opportunities in the culinary field! Chefs and head cook jobs are expected to grow by ten percent through 2026 and have an average salary of about $46,730 in Texas. Food service manager positions are expected to grow by nine percent and have an average salary of $61,010 per year in Texas.

Where Can I Work With a Degree/Certificate in Food and Hospitality?

When it comes to jobs in the culinary field, the options are endless and include a wide range of industries.

  • Hotels
  • Restaurants
  • Resorts
  • Cruise ships
  • Bistros
  • Catering businesses
  • Public and private schools
  • Hospitals
  • Grocery and specialty food stores

Ready to Start Your Culinary Career?

To get started, complete the DCCCD the admissions process and meet with an academic advisor at El Centro to discuss which classes you should take.

While you’re here, you should also consider checking out our previous programs of the month.

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