For Immediate Release: August 14, 2017
For More Information, Contact:
Amanda Koone, Communications Director
Fredericksburg Convention & Visitor Bureau
888/997-3600 or 830/997-6523
Culinary & Hospitality Program Debuts at Fredericksburg High School
FREDERICKSBURG, Texas --- Fredericksburg High School will offer a new four-year culinary and hospitality educational program to incoming freshman beginning this fall. The program aims to build awareness and understanding of the various career options within the hospitality industry.
Freshman students will begin the program with an Introduction to Hospitality and Culinary Arts course and continue to build upon that foundation their sophomore year, before moving on to internships and Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) courses their junior and senior year. Students will gain knowledge and build skill sets needed for careers within the culinary and hospitality industry and earn credits toward certificates and/or associate art degrees.
“We are so very excited to be expanding our career and technology offerings to include hospitality, culinary, and tourism. We want to introduce our students to career pathways within this industry as viable career opportunities.” said Fredericksburg Independent School District Superintendent, Eric Wright, Ed.D. “We are blessed to have community partners within the hospitality industry that have stepped up and have volunteered their time and talents to merge theory into practice. It is my desire that this program will grow in stature as those we have created in our rocket program, our construction trades program, our auto technology program, and our viticulture program.”
The travel industry supports 15.3 million American workers and generates nearly $2.3 trillion for the United States economy. Travel is one of the top 10 employers of American workers in 49 of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.
“We are excited about introducing local high school students to the hospitality industry as a career choice, which will allow them to have a very rewarding career here in the Texas Hill Country as the hospitality industry grows and matures. Or a career in hospitality could propel our students on a pathway of adventure working somewhere in the U.S. or in a far flung corner of the world. The choice is theirs,” noted Ernie Loeffler, president/CEO, Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau.
Curriculum for the Fall Semester 1 2017 program includes a focus on hospitality with topics such as travel and tourism, hotels, food service management, restaurant management, event management, wine and spirits, hospitality services and higher educational opportunities. The Fall Semester 2 2017 curriculum includes a focus on culinary arts with topics such as concepts and menu planning, production, service styles, management, safety, marketing and baking.
Numerous Fredericksburg-area hospitality and culinary industry leaders will serve as speakers and student mentors throughout the program. A number of local hospitality partners will also open their facilities for hands-on educational field trips throughout the course.
This program is a result of a joint effort between local hospitality industry leaders and Fredericksburg Independent School District. Jim Mikula, of Gable S Corporation, is spearheading the program which began development nearly two years ago. Courses will be taught by Melody Houston.
“The development of the program has been a collaborative effort between local hospitality leaders, FISD, FBG HS staff and HCUC/Central Texas College.” said Jim Mikula. “It is exciting to have such commitment from everyone involved. “
“Acknowledging the labor force shortage facing all industries in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County, the local hospitality industry is launching this program in an effort to ‘grow our own’ hospitality workforce. Bringing young, qualified talent into our local and regional hospitality industry will have a positive long-term impact on creating a premier visitor experience here in Fredericksburg and Gillespie County, which is the vision of the Fredericksburg CVB,” Loeffler added.
To learn more about the new culinary and hospitality program at Fredericksburg High School, contact Logan Minshew at 830.997.7551 or loganm@fisd.org.
-30-
The mission of the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau is to market Fredericksburg and Gillespie County as a premier travel destination on the regional, national and international stage thereby creating a positive impact on the local economy and the quality of life here.