Program Overview

Culinary Arts teaches students the value of building professional work skills in the kitchen. Students begin by learning about safety and sanitation and earn their Texas Food Handlers certification, which is required to work with food in the state of Texas.  In the kitchen, they develop knife skills, practice dry and liquid measurement, learn how to read a recipe, and become confident in both dry and moist cooking methods (e.g., baking, roasting, boiling, steaming, braising, etc.).  In our Clifton Cafe, students learn the elements of planning and executing an event

In Year 2, students transition from our teaching kitchen into our commercial kitchen and gain experience using a variety of large-scale commercial kitchen equipment, including our deep fryer and flat top.  They build additional skills, such as cake decorating, yeast breads, mother sauces, etc.  Students in Year 2 also workshop a recipe to submit to the Travis County Youth Show in January, with a chance to have their item go to a live auction.

Throughout the program, students learn the importance of working together and establishing the social and communication skills needed for a real working environment.  In Year 3, students take this further with a focus on leadership and building industry connections. After completion of the program, many students find employment in the food industry or further develop their skills at Austin Community College or culinary institutes.

Friday Luncheons

On several Fridays each month, our Clifton Culinary Arts program hosts a luncheon open to the community.  First-year students serve as Front-of-House, setting up our cafe space and interacting with customers throughout their dining experience.  Second-year students prepare and serve the meal.  Third-year students serve as our kitchen managers, and each of our third-years takes full ownership of one event.  For that event, the student will decide on a theme, create the menu, and supervise all other students working on the luncheon.

Course Sequence

Year 1, Semester 1: Introduction to Event & Meeting Planning

Year 1, Semester 2: Introduction to Culinary Arts *offered as Articulated Credit with Austin Community College

Year 2: Culinary Arts

Year 3: Practicum in Culinary Arts and/or Career Preparation

Certifications

Year 1: Texas Food Handlers

Year 2 or 3 Students in their Senior Year: Food Protection Manager