It just keeps getting more exciting for local high school students who want a jump-start on a culinary career. Since the Chronicle‘s article on professional cooking schools in Austin (see “Culinary Studies,” Jan. 19, 2001), there are new developments in both the Austin and Del Valle School Districts; the trend continues for local businesses to actively participate in the implementation of high school culinary programs.
AISD: Hospitality Academy Foundation
The big news from AISD is, beginning this fall, AISD’s three-year-old Hospitality Academy Foundation program moves from Austin High School to Travis High School. This program, encompassing both culinary and hospitality classes, will have a new name that will be announced by AISD in the near future and a new chef-instructor, not to mention a shiny new 3,000-square-foot facility that includes a state-of-the-art kitchen lab, dining room, classrooms, and distance-learning equipment. The culinary arts classes at Crockett High School will be incorporated into the Travis program, and students from the Texas School for the Deaf will also participate. The program is open to all AISD high school students (except those living within the Bowie High School boundaries, who are eligible for the thriving Bowie culinary arts curriculum). Classes at the Travis facility begin in August, although the new construction won’t be complete till October.
A noteworthy aspect of the program at Travis is the extraordinary level of support committed by local businesses, organizations, and individuals. While the program is housed on AISD property and administered by the school district, there is an advisory board composed of area chefs, culinary educators, and hospitality businesses. The Travis Education Foundation, chaired by Austin attorney John Blazier, is raising and coordinating the building funds. Various professionals are donating services, including architect Jim O’Neil of Pfluger Associates who designed the new facility, Jose and Rick Guerra who produced the working drawings, and the general contractor, Steve Hallmark. For more information about the culinary program at Travis, contact Pat Bell, AISD Career Specialist in Culinary and Hospitality, 414-2679. For information about the Travis Education Foundation, contact John Blazier, 476-2622.
Del Valle School District: Entrepreneur 101 Program
Del Valle High School is building a Carmelo’s Restaurant right on campus, aided by the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation and Austin restaurateur Carmelo Mauro. The new restaurant, whose design was donated by Barbara Eckrote Design of Houston, should be completed by the time school starts this fall. The facility will function as the business and culinary laboratory for Del Valle’s Entrepreneur 101 program where, under the guidance of faculty and business sponsors, students participate in all aspects of restaurant management and operation. Clif Dickerson is the chef-instructor for the culinary components of the program.
The year-old Entrepreneur 101 program is obviously striking a chord with Del Valle students. In its first year, approximately 200 students enrolled; reportedly, enrollment may double for the 2001 school year. For more information about Entrepreneur 101, contact Dr. Floyd Bevers, Del Valle Director of Careers & Technology, 386-3074.
This article appears in June 22 • 2001.
