Culinary Arts Program

The culinary arts program at El Centro College prepares students for a career as an executive chef, restaurateur, food and beverage manager, food writer, research chef, or a culinary educator. The program focuses on cooking related services in restaurants and other commercial food establishments. Program courses include: recipe and menu planning, preparing and cooking foods, supervising and training kitchen assistants, managing food supplies and kitchen resources, food presentation, and a variety of cuisines and culinary techniques. Get more details below including other Texas colleges that offer culinary arts program.

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El Centro College

3737 Motley Dr, Mesquite, TX

El Centro College is a community college located in the city of Dallas, Texas, fittingly close to the center of the city's corporate limits.

Prospective students considering El Centro College will find a cheaper alternative to many other local universities, with a low annual tuition rate of under $2,500 a year for in-state residents, and about $5,000 for out of state students.

As a public institute of higher education, applicants will enjoy an open admissions process at El Centro Colleges, which opens its door to all students who apply.

As of today, El Centro College currently serves the higher education needs of approximately 9,800 students; of which some 7,700 are part-time and a little over 2,000 are full-time students. As you can guess from the numbers, El Centro College is a great option for those who want to earn a college degree, but are unable to devote the time required for a full course load.

Students can choose to major in a number of popular academic programs at El Centro College, earning an associate's degree in fields, including early childhood education, culinary arts, diagnostic medical sonography, biotechnology laboratory technician, criminal justice, fashion and apparel design, emergency medical technician, and many, many more.

Considering its prime location in Dallas, a large city and financial hub, students in search of off-campus extracurricular activities will find any number of entertainment hotspots options and a thriving night life is well within reach at El Centro Colleges, whether by car or on foot.

For more information on the academic opportunities at El Centro College, click here.

Students Enrolled in the Culinary Arts Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. El Centro College has offered the following academic levels for students:

• Less Than Two-Year Award
• Associate's Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Chefs and Head Cooks

Description

Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, chefs and head cooks employment is expected to grow at a rate of 8.9% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 1
  • Average Hourly Rate: $24.47
  • Average Annual Salary: $50900
• Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 770
  • Average Hourly Rate: $19.81
  • Average Annual Salary: $41210

First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers

Description

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in preparing and serving food.

Cooks, Private Household

Description

Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.

Cooks, Restaurant

Description

Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, cooks, restaurant employment is expected to grow at a rate of 14.3% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Dallas-Plano-Irving, TX Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 18
  • Average Hourly Rate: $12.47
  • Average Annual Salary: $25940
• Fort Worth-Arlington, TX Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 8
  • Average Hourly Rate: $11.18
  • Average Annual Salary: $23250

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).