Salaries for Food Service/Culinary Arts graduates can vary widely. FSC program graduates earn average starting salaries ranging from $18,000 to $26,000 per year. With a few years of experience, graduates can advance to management positions earning in excess of $30,000, including bonuses, according to the Texas Restaurant Association.
Technicians in Demand:
Food Service/Culinary Arts program graduates can expect virtually endless employment opportunities. Graduates find outstanding opportunities with a wide range of organizations, from well-known restaurants and fast-food providers to casinos, resorts and cultural centers, in addition to health care facilities, universities, sports arenas, hospitals, and airports. Those interested in running their own businesses find success in catering and contract services as well.
The Technical Advantage:
As a student in the TSTC Food Service/Culinary Arts program, you will use many types of equipment and computer programs to gain the competitive edge. These include:
Interactive programs for recipe manipulation and development;
Microsoft Office programs, emphasizing Excel and Access for inventory, invoicing, and pricing;
Purchasing and maintaining c ommercial cooking and food processing equipment.
Professional Associations:
Students have access to established industry organizations and professionals like those active in the Texas Restaurant Association (TRA), the Texas Chefs' Association (TCA) and the American Culinary Federation (ACF). FSC students gain real-world experience participating with the Waco Restaurant Association in events including “Taste of Waco,” and the Cameron Park “Zoobilee!”
