Culinary Arts

Students will learn the fundamentals of basic cookery and expand to creating gourmet foods, artistic presentations, and become part of a team that creates a recipe for success in the hospitality industry. As more Americans are eating out, culinary careers continue to grow at a steady pace. The need for high level food preparation, event planning, management, and leadership skills are in demand. Working in restaurants and other eateries are steady sources of employment.

Program Description

Students in the LISD TECH Center’s Culinary Arts program learn to manage real-world kitchen challenges in a classroom that doubles as a commercial kitchen and is fully equipped with institutional cooking equipment. Cooking, baking, management, and safety and sanitation practices are the focus of the program. Students will learn to create recipes, prepare meals from scratch, perform basic daily kitchen operations including cost controls, inventory and ordering. Students are involved in planning and coordinating several events throughout the year and cater meals at the LISD TECH Center. This program helps develop leadership skills through these events as well as participation in several competitions.

To Be Successful

Successful students work independently or as a team member. Having access to internet, good communication skills, motivation to move with a purpose, and the ability to manage time effectively also are helpful skills. Students must have good attention to detail as well as high cleanliness and professional behavior standards.

Textbook Reading Level: College

Student Organization

ProStart
DECA

Dawn Stetler

Instructor

Dawn Stetler is excited to be a part of the Culinary Arts team at the LISD TECH Center.  Her journey in education started in an elementary school, where Dawn discovered just how much she enjoyed helping students learn and grow.  Over time, Dawn realized she wanted to do more and follow her passion for cooking and baking.

 She was the Baking Technician within the SWWC Consortium at Saline High School. She also worked at a small business bakery in Chelsea.  Now, Dawn gets to combine both worlds: teaching and food.  Every day she will get to watch students build confidence in the kitchen, explore their creativity, and learn skills they can carry for a lifetime; whether they’re preparing for a career in culinary arts or just learning to cook for themselves.  Dawn has wanted to lead a classroom of her own, and with a passion for cooking and love for working with young people, she has found the perfect fit as the Culinary Arts instructor.

Email Dawn Stetler

Lindsay Kent's photo

Teacher Assistant

Lindsay Kent

Holly Rossi

Teacher Assistant

Holly Rossi