Culinary Arts
Turn your love of cuisine into a career through Austin Community College’s in-house culinary school. You’ll learn to plan a menu, whip up amazing dishes, manage staff, and create memorable dining experiences. Plus, ACC’s student-run restaurants provide plenty of opportunities to practice your kitchen skills and interact with diners.
Pride Points
Scholarships available
Student-run restaurants
Study abroad classes
ACC’s Culinary Arts Program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Career & Salary Information
When local employers are hiring, they seek out ACC culinary and pastry students for internships and jobs. Below are some careers you might consider.
Click each title to learn more about important career information such as employment rates, and average salary in our region.
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Bakers
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Bakers. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Baristas
Prepare or serve specialty coffee or other beverages. Serve food such as baked goods or sandwiches to patrons.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Baristas. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Bartenders
Mix and serve drinks to patrons, directly or through waitstaff.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Bartenders. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Butchers and Meat Cutters
Cut, trim, or prepare consumer-sized portions of meat for use or sale in retail establishments.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Butchers and Meat Cutters. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Chefs and Head Cooks
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Chefs and Head Cooks. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
Perform duties which combine preparing and serving food and nonalcoholic beverages.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Cooks, Fast Food
Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Cooks, Fast Food. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Cooks, Private Household
Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Cooks, Private Household. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Cooks, Short Order
Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Cooks, Short Order. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
Serve food to diners at counter or from a steam table.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Food Preparation Workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Food Preparation Workers. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
Serve food to individuals outside of a restaurant environment, such as in hotel rooms, hospital rooms, residential care facilities, or cars.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Food Servers, Nonrestaurant. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
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Waiters and Waitresses
Take orders and serve food and beverages to patrons at tables in dining establishment.
Hourly Wage: $
Currently Employed:
Projections:
# people are employed as Waiters and Waitresses. This number is expected to # over the next four years.
Choose the Award Path That’s Right for You
ACC offers stackable credentials. Certificates prepare you for a career change or career advancement and often include credits that count toward associate degrees. Associate degrees further increase your employability and help you build a strong foundation for university transfer. Learn more.
Explore awards and follow the program maps below to stay on track.