Culinary Arts

Courses offered thru KC-Longview, taught on the Longview High School campus.

About the Program:

The Culinary Arts program prepares students for careers in the nation’s second largest private sector business - food service. The program consists of a Certificate and an Associate of Applied Science degree. The associate’s degree has a practicum course in  which students will receive actual on-the-job training. Classes begin each August. Classes are offered in the state-of-the-art kitchen facility at the Longview High School Career and Technology Education Center Mondays-Thursdays (late afternoon/evenings). The certificate takes two semesters to complete while the AAS takes two more semesters of culinary classes with additional academic classes included.

The program and its curriculum are endorsed by:

  • Longview Economic Development Corporation
  • SYSCO East Texas
  • City of Longview Health Department
  • Various local restaurant/food service owners

Cost of program:

Certificate:
  • In-District: $4,200
  • Out-of-District: $7,800
  • Books & Supplies: Varies
AAS Degree:
  • In-District: $5,300
  • Out-of-District: $10,100
  • Books & Supplies: $1,965

Program information:

Career Tree - CULINARY ARTS

Frequently Asked Questions

What do graduates of the program do?

Jobs include the following: chef, baker, recipe developer, menu planner, food & beverage director, training director, catering manager, and banquet manager.

How long does it take to complete the Certificate?

Two semesters.

How long does it take to complete the AAS degree?

Two years.

What kind of salary can graduates expect?

Salary Ranges for Entry Level:

  • Management Trainee: $19,000 to $33,000
  • Waiters/Waitresses: Minimum wage to $20,000
  • Cook: Minimum wage to $13.32

Salary Ranges for Middle Management:

  • Unit Manager: $30,000 to $70,000
  • Chef: $27,000 to $60,000
  • Catering Manager: $30,000 to $50,000
  • Sous Chef: $26,000 to $45,000
  • Kitchen Manager: $25,000 to $45,000
  • Banquet Manager: $26,000 to $45,000
  • Pastry Chef: $25,000 to $40,000
  • Assistant Unit Manager: $24,000 to $45,000

Salary Ranges for Upper Management:

  • Owner: $35,000 to $200,000
  • General Manager/COO: $42,000 to $200,000
  • Director of Operations: $40,000 to $150,000
  • Regional Manager: $40,000 to $100,000
  • Food & Beverage Director: $35,000 to $85,000
  • Executive Chef: $35,000 to $90,000
  • Director of Training: $35,000 to $100,000
What is the job outlook for graduates?

Segments of the food service industry:

  • Table service restaurants
  • Quick service restaurants
  • Health-care food service
  • Social catering
  • Retail hosts
  • Transportation food service
  • Lodging food service
  • Education food service
  • Military food service

Entry-level jobs:

  • Cashier
  • Cook
  • Counter Worker
  • Dishwasher
  • Driver
  • Server

Jobs that require education, experience or certification:

  • Baker
  • Banquet Chef
  • Chef de Partie
  • Dining Room Manager
  • Pastry Chef
  • Purchasing Agent
  • Sous Chef
  • Storeroom Supervisor

Positions at or near the top:

  • Assistant Manager
  • Catering Manager
  • Corporate Trainer
  • Dietician
  • Executive Chef
  • Food and Beverage Director
  • Food Production Manager
  • Food Service Manager
  • Menu Planner
  • Merchandising Supervisor
  • Personnel Director
  • Recipe Developer
  • Sommelier

NOTE: Much of the above information was supplied by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation.

For information about Culinary Arts:

Kat Jackson
Program Leader, Instructor
Culinary Arts
Phone:
(903) 236-2047
Office:
KC-Longview Hendrix Bldg., (LVHDX)405
kjackson@kilgore.edu
Mike Henry
Academic Advisor
Business & Information Technology
Phone:
(903) 236-2032
Office:
KC-Longview Hendrix Bldg. (LVHDX)
mhenry1@kilgore.edu

Business & Information Technology