Local Chapter of Texas Restaurant Association Presents $20,000 Check on May 21 for Scholarships Supporting Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry and Hospitality Management Majors
2023-2024 grads also receive coats during recognition ceremony
Article by Melinda Eddleman
Their passion is part of an industry that helps drive the Coastal Bend economy––the food and beverage industry––which goes hand-in-hand with eating local if you live here and providing some of the best cuisine to tourists who visit the region. And, whether these professionals work in the kitchen whipping up savory morsels or sweet concoctions or manage the front of the house, greet guests or make sure operations run smoothly, the Del Mar College (DMC) Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry and Hospitality Management Programs prepare students for careers in an industry that can satiate the palate and provide a variety of dining experiences unique to the area.
To ensure these students training for careers through the College’s programs have the financial resources to fulfill their passions and local workforce needs, the Texas Restaurant Association Coastal Bend Chapter (TRA-CBC) presented an oversized $20,000 check on May 21 supporting the Coastal Bend Restaurant Association Scholarship administered through the DMC Foundation. The funds will support between 10 to 15 students pursuing their certificates or associate degrees from DMC to become culinary and hospitality professionals.
The TRA-CBC has a long history of providing scholarship funds beginning 25 years ago; and in 2017, the chapter presented $70,000 to support DMC students training for the industry.
The same day, the TRA-CBC also held their 3rd Annual Flavors of the Coastal Bend on the College’s Oso Creek Campus to showcase regional restaurants and bakers, allowing attendees to taste and savor the cuisine and sweets presented to them before voting for their favorites. Several DMC Culinary Arts students participated as part of this year’s Flavors of the Coastal Bend to offer their own delectable bites and sumptuous sweets as a means to demonstrate their own acumen and creativity with food.
Prior to the TRA-CBC’s check presentation, the Hospitality and Culinary Student Organization (HCSO), or student club, presented 20 coats during a Graduation Recognition and Coat Ceremony to graduates who completed their programs in December 2023 and May 2024 and to those students expected to graduate this August. Club members gave 19 white chef’s coats to Culinary Arts graduates and one blue coat to a Hospitality Management graduate. Additionally, those who completed the required number of volunteer hours for the club received red cords.
The Coat Recognition Ceremony was only the third such recognition held by the Culinary and Hospitality Student Organization with the last one in 2022. Held in 2019, the first ceremony was organized by faculty with presentation of cords only.
The coats and embroidery work with each honoree’s name and DMC and HCSO logos were paid for by the club this year.
Graduates who were honored this year include Hospitality Management graduate Ashlyn Martin and Culinary Arts/Baking & Pastry graduates/expected graduates Richard Arnold, Andrew Barrera, Mia Amor Casas, Alejandra Castro-Navarro, Justin Douglas, Mia Epps-Hicks, Giovannie Flores, Julian Gracia, Joseph Lemus, Alexis Lopez, Selina Lopez, Michaelah Maddalone, Frank Martinez, Tina McPherson, Kristian Ramos, Megan Ruiz, Andrea Silva, Kanyon Swift and Thomas Wallin.
If you have a passion for culinary arts, baking or hospitality management, discover the possibilities and your journey to completing one of these programs at Del Mar College. Visit www.delmar.edu/degrees/index.html and click on the Business Administration and Entrepreneurship pathway or contact the department at 361-698-1372.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.
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