Culinary and Hospitality Arts

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Culinary and Hospitality Arts

Culinary Arts and Hospitality and Event Management have recently combined to form one powerhouse program! Check out the videos above to get a glimpse of what will be covered in this course.

The Art and Science of Food Planning, Menu Development,
Restaurant Management, and Event Management

If you have a knack for working with others in a team environment and creating delicious dishes then the Culinary Arts program could be the right plan for you. Hospitality and Culinary Arts is a newly combined two-year program designed to prepare students for entry into the restaurant, banquet service, or catering industry, hospitality field including event and food planning and management and operations, and/or entry into an associate degree program. Students will work directly with a locally renowned chef and event management instructor who will teach students how to successfully plan, prepare, and deliver a final product as well as organize and plan events. The students will also gain on-site valuable experience by running the program's restaurant The Academy Grill, which is open to the public and housed right in the South-Western Career Academy.

The Academy Grill

Students will also develop skills in the fundamentals of the hospitality field, event and food planning, and management and operations. Students will learn to organize and plan meetings and events, in addition to lab experiences focusing on the day-to-day operations and management found in the hospitality industry.

Students will hone their skills in customer service, analyze risks and develop strategies for event management. Students will develop management skills and learn how to run the front office operations of the lodging, culinary, hospital, and large business industries. Students will earn hands-on experience by managing and facilitating clients through our new Event Space. This space is host to multiple meetings, professional development sessions, and mini-conferences throughout the year. The Culinary and Hospitality Arts program caters many of these events giving students real-life experiences.

Career Opportunities

Chef
Banquet Manager
Caterer
Pastry Chef
Food Artist
Nutritional Assistant
Public Relations
Event Planning
Advertising
Marketing
Technical Writing
Sports and Entertainment Promotions
Hospitality Manager
Guest Service Representative
Hospitality & Event Coordinator
Wedding Planner
Catering Manager

Career Skills Developed

Application of scientific knowledge of sanitation and safety
Credit and collection functions
Restaurant staffing strategies
Menu planning and preparation
Nutritional information and trends
Meeting and banquet support services
Table service
Hospitality Services
Collaboration & Problem Solving
Customer Service
Event Planning & Management
Promotion
Industry Networking

Program Highlights

Students will compete in ProStart and SkillsUSA, a student leadership organization, which is part of the curriculum.
While enrolled in the program, the culinary students will operate the school's full-service restaurant, The Academy Grill, during the school day utilizing their skills learned in the program.
Opportunity to earn Certification in Event Planning
Students plan, market, and organize many of the school events.
Students will manage and facilitate the Academy Meeting Space.

Curriculum Plan

Info Sheet

Suggested Skill Set

Solid work ethic
Ability to handle feedback
Works well within a team structure
Follows directions thoroughly
Has a good sense of urgency
Shows initiative and ownership
Has good personal hygiene
Takes pride in a job well done

Creative
Quick thinker
Verbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication
Written Communication
OrganizationPublic Speaking
Problem Solving

Delegation
Dependability
Professionalism
Project Management
Time Management

Additional Features

The South Western Career Academy is affiliated with ProStart, a program administered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).
The two-year ProStart program teaches students the management skills they will need to progress in their education and careers.
When students meet the academic standard, complete a checklist of competencies, and participate in at least 400 hours of mentored work experience, they are awarded the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement which signifies they are well qualified to enter the industry workforce. The certificate also provides opportunities for college scholarships.
Additionally, upon successful completion of the program, the students also have the opportunity to earn the ServSafe National Sanitation and Safety ServSafe Certification. While enrolled at SWCA, students will operate a restaurant, The Academy Grill, during the school day using their skills learned in the program including customer service.
Work Based Learning opportunity during the second semester of senior year.
On-Site professional experiences through mentoring opportunities.
Activities are both individual and team project-oriented.
Columbus State Community College allows up to 6 selected credits earned in this program at SWCA to be transferable to the college and applied toward a degree. The number of college credits is subject to change.

Apply Today!

Congratulations to our 2024 ProStart Burger Battle Champions
Alexis Lopez & Araceli Rodriguez Ramirez!

THE BINGE BURGER
A boldly seasoned third pounder covered in our hot honey bacon made from scratch seattle cream cheese sauce, wait there's more. Kettle chips and an olive, jalapeno bacon flag. This is all presented on a pretzel bun.

Click HERE to view the video commercial outlining these students and their winning burger.