“They're learning French [culinary] techniques, and they're applying it to different culinary opportunities. They also learn how to clean, sanitize and wash dishes,” Hosford said. “When we are busy, [they learn] how to process, multitask and how to remain cool under pressure. They get penalized, grade wise, if they lose their cool.”
The setup
Students enrolled in advanced culinary arts class, which meets three hours every school day, have completed intro to culinary arts at their home campus and earned a Texas food handlers license.
In addition to working at the student-run restaurant—Saveur, at FISD CTE Center—students also run Corner Cafe & Bakery and cater district events.
Saveur's menu features soups, salads, pizza, wings and more.
“The braised beef ravioli is made using a French technique,” Hosford said. “We braise the meat and use mirepoix—a celery, onion and carrots combination and the students make the pasta.”
The restaurant is open to the public Wednesday and Thursdays and offers a to-go option Tuesdays through Fridays.
Meet the students
Students from all 12 FISD high schools take technical classes at the CTE Center. Heritage High senior Grayson Kalitta said he started taking culinary classes when he was a sophomore. He plans to open a bakery one day and specialize in cakes. His favorite element of being in this program is the vast amount of time he gets to spend cooking.
Lonestar High senior Lydia Meierhofer’s career goals include opening a restaurant. She plans on pursuing a business degree in college and is relying on the experience in the FISD culinary arts program as a good starting point for her culinary career. She said interacting with her peers, chef instructors and customers has been the highlight of this experience.
Centennial High School senior Daniel Medina said although he has chosen to pursue a degree in architecture post-graduation, he is grateful for the knowledge he has gained as a culinary student and the chance to explore the career.
Because students travel from across the district to take courses at the Center, crosstown friendships have developed.
“We've had students that have gotten married. One was from Centennial, one was from Wakeland,” Hosford said. “They probably would have never met had they not been in here.”
What you need to know
Hosford said some students are surprised by the amount of work they are expected to execute in this program and said she can tell almost instantly which students will thrive in this environment.
“There's some kids that think it's going to be opening up a box of cake mix and sitting there stirring it for two and a half hours—smiling, licking the bowl, [putting] sprinkles on cupcakes,” Hosford said. “They don't realize the intensity behind the program. So we try to be very verbal—especially when they're in their intro class—this is hard work.”
Hosford said her days are filled with micro-successes including teaching her students to learn to move fast and not rely on computers.
“At the end of the day, if the kitchen is clean, the trash bins taken out and everybody's been served, it's a successful day,” Hosford said.
- FISD CTE Center: 9889 Wade Blvd., Frisco
- https://schools.friscoisd.org/campus/program-centers/cte/restaurant
