Dallas Culinary Careers, Jobs, & Salaries

Famous for its barbecue, Tex-Mex, and authentic Mexican cuisine, the Dallas/ Ft. Worth area features more restaurants per capita than New York City. Famous products of the Dallas culinary scene include the frozen margarita and the chain restaurants Chili's and Romano's Macaroni Grill. Fearing's restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Dallas hotel in Uptown Dallas was named the best hotel restaurant in the US for 2009 by Zagat Survey. A career in culinary training can prepare a student for a variety of roles in the food service and hospitality industry. Culinary arts colleges and career schools in Dallas will immerse students in the culinary world -- working alongside professional instructors learning focused, and essential, technical skills that can be applied to the preparation of any cuisine served in restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and other food-serving establishments.

One of the most sought after careers in the culinary field is that of the Head Chef. Chefs are responsible for creating recipes and ensuring appealing presentation, while other cooks and food preparation workers prepare individual foods for meals, with duties such as peeling vegetables and monitoring temperatures. Chefs are also the most skilled cooks in the kitchen and use their creativity and knowledge of food to develop and prepare recipes.

Executive chefs, head cooks, and chefs de cuisine, are primarily responsible for coordinating the work of the cooks and directing the preparation of meals. Executive chefs are in charge of all food service operations and also may supervise several kitchens of a hotel, restaurant or corporate dining operation. A sous chef, or sub chef, is the second-in-command and runs the kitchen in the absence of the chef. Many chefs earn fame both for themselves and for their kitchens because of the quality and distinctive nature of the food they serve.

Most top chefs pursue formal training through culinary institutions or vocational programs in the culinary arts, culinary management, or pasty arts. Many programs include an externship or apprenticeship opportunity. Though many cooks and food preparation workers leave the industry, some may go on to cooking school to have more formal training and increased responsibility.

Employment

According to the latest numbers, chefs, cooks, and other food preparation workers were employed in nearly 3.1 million positions in restaurants, fast food establishments, cafeterias, and in private households. About two-thirds of all chefs work for restaurants, 12% are employed in schools, universities, hospitals, and other institutional facilities, and the remainder work in grocery stores, hotels, or other venues.

Chefs and supervisors work full-time for restaurants. Nearly a third of cooks, and half of food preparation workers work part-time.

Salary

Salaries can vary greatly depending on the type of establishment, and the level of skill. The following statistics are for the greater Dallas/ Ft. Worth Texas area (from bls.gov):

Chefs and head cooks: $44,700
Food preparation and serving supervisors: $17,910
Restaurant cooks: $20,190
Food preparation workers: $17,910

Outlook

Overall, the outlook for chefs and other culinary professionals is fairly strong through 2018.

Roughly 245,000 jobs will be added to the food service industry. Chefs, head cooks, first-line supervisors and managers will see employment growth of between 6 and 7% (though as usual, competition will be keen for head chef positions in high-end restaurants). Employment of cooks and food preparation workers is expected to increase by about 6% through 2018.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says this growth will be spurred by high turnover. But increases in population, household income, and demand for convenience will also continue to play a role. Even as the economy falters, more and more people are seeking healthier, made-from scratch meals, and the need for prepared foods at specialty food stores is climbing as people crave restaurant-style food at home.

However, keen competition is expected for jobs at upscale restaurants that generally pay more.

Culinary Schools, Culinary Programs & Career Schools in Dallas

• Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts
  Located in Texas´s top tourist destination, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts (formerly Le Cordon Bleu Institute of Culinary Arts Dallas) provides Le Cordon Bleu culinary training and can help prepare students for opportunities in the food service and hospitality industry.
• The Art Institute of Dallas - Culinary Arts
  Cooking, Culinary Arts, Restaurant Mgmt.
  
• Sur La Table - Dallas, Culinary Program
  Cooking
  
• Viking Culinary Arts Center, Dallas, Cooking School
  Cooking
  
• Whole Foods Market - Dallas, Culinary Programs
  Cooking