Dallas College has hit the ground cooking with a new Restaurant Leadership Program aimed at stirring up the mix of gender roles in the culinary industry. The tuition-free, 8-week course offers women hands-on experience in restaurant leadership alongside mentorship opportunities with some of Dallas's culinary elite.
To season the industry with a more balanced representation of female leaders, the program was shaped in collaboration with Michelle Carpenter, owner and executive chef of the James Beard Award 'Best New Restaurant' finalist, Restaurant Beatrice. "We do need more women," Carpenter said, emphasizing the lack of guidance she faced early in her career, as reported by NBC DFW.
Steve DeShazo, Senior Director at Dallas College, told NBC DFW that the impetus behind the program is not just to foster female leaders but also to "create a level playing field for females to grow in leadership positions in the restaurant industry." The course is practical, putting students through 'stagiaire' rotations at various respected institutions in the DFW area, including Carpenter's own Restaurant Beatrice, Roots Southern Table, and Lucia.
One of the students, Morgan Clayton, is eyeing the course as a springboard to launch her bar-forward restaurant. In an interview, Clayton conveyed the significance of the program, noting that "all knowledge is new knowledge and needed knowledge," as mentioned in the innovative program's coverage by BNN Breaking. The program accepts both women and men, with male participants like culinary student Bryce Hayden understanding their role in creating a supportive framework for their female counterparts. "Instead of being an obstacle, I can be a launching pad for other people," Hayden told NBC DFW, highlighting the inclusive nature of the program.
Breaking into the industry is tough, and the support from the Dallas College Foundation has been fundamental, offering free tuition to make this leap possible. The foundation is gearing up for a gourmet dinner fundraiser on March 25, which Carpenter and DeShazo agree is key to the program's sustainability. This educational initiative isn't just spicing up resumes; it's a recipe for broadening the industry's horizons—one female leader at a time.
