Hard-pressed restaurant industry not hindering student interest in this college's cooking program, as lines form
In the face of a struggling restaurant industry, enrollment in Los Angeles Trade-Tech's culinary program is on the rise. The program, known for its practical, real-world culinary skills and modern facilities, is attracting students seeking a strong foundation for their careers.
The program's success can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, the quality of education it provides sets students apart from their peers who only learn on-the-job. The program teaches useful, real-world culinary techniques that prepare students better for restaurant careers.
Secondly, the new, updated culinary building enhances the learning environment, making the program more attractive to prospective students.
Thirdly, the current challenges facing the restaurant industry, such as economic issues, wildfires, labor shortages, and immigration enforcement fears, have motivated students to seek formal training to increase their employability in a tough market.
Despite many notable restaurants closing in Los Angeles, the program’s enrollment grew by 13% last academic year and nearly 30% since 2019. This growth reflects the students' hard work and strong faculty support.
In fact, the program’s resilience and reputation are evident, as some prestigious culinary schools nationwide have closed, but Los Angeles Trade-Tech's culinary program continues to thrive.
One such success story is Shastova, a Russian immigrant who found Los Angeles Trade-Tech after pondering her next move and thinking about her mother's bakery back home. Shastova, the chef at Vin Folk, which was named "the most exciting restaurant to open in the South Bay in recent memory", is a graduate of the culinary program, having graduated with a certificate in culinary studies in 2017. Two other graduates who attended Los Angeles Trade-Tech with Shastova found jobs as line cooks at Vin Folk.
Another graduate, Eric Warren, launched a culinary career in his late 50s after graduating from Los Angeles Trade-Tech in 2011 and debuted "the Ooo-We! sauce", a "sweet, spicy, saucy glaze".
Enrollment in the program is also boosted by initiatives such as the Los Angeles College Promise, which provides two years of tuition for select graduating high school students at the college district's nine schools, including Trade-Tech.
However, the program is not without its challenges. Federal immigration enforcement raids have led many undocumented workers to leave their posts out of fear of detainment, causing a labor shortage in the industry.
Despite these challenges, Los Angeles Trade-Tech's culinary program continues to offer career-boosting training, teaching useful, real-world skills in a new, modern building. The program's supportive faculty, clear career pathways, and emphasis on technical proficiency give students advantages in the kitchen that cannot be easily gained through on-the-job experience alone.
[1] Source: Los Angeles Trade-Tech website
[2] Source: Los Angeles Times article, "Enrollment at Los Angeles Trade-Tech's culinary program is growing despite the struggling restaurant industry" (2023)
- Amidst the difficult economy and the challenges faced by the restaurant industry, including immigration issues, wildfires, and labor shortages, students are turning to formal education to improve their employability.
- In the face of restaurant closures in Los Angeles, enrollment in the culinary program at Los Angeles Trade-Tech has seen a notable increase, growing by 13% last academic year and nearly 30% since 2019.
- The practical, real-world skills taught at Los Angeles Trade-Tech's culinary program set students apart from their peers and provide a strong foundation for careers in the restaurant industry.
- The new, updated culinary building at Los Angeles Trade-Tech enhances the learning environment, making the program more attractive to prospective students.
- Graduates of Los Angeles Trade-Tech's culinary program have found success in the industry, with one chef named "the most exciting restaurant to open in the South Bay in recent memory" and another launching a successful line of sauces.
- Initiatives such as the Los Angeles College Promise, which provides two years of tuition for select graduating high school students, are boosting enrollment in the program.
- However, federal immigration enforcement raids have caused a labor shortage in the industry, with undocumented workers leaving their posts out of fear of detainment.
- Despite these challenges, Los Angeles Trade-Tech's culinary program continues to offer career-boosting training, teaching useful, real-world skills in a new, modern building, with supportive faculty and clear career pathways.
