WHO WE ARE
Wekiva High School’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program offers students the opportunity to explore professions in the Culinary industry using the National Restaurant Association’s ProStart curriculum. Through the ProStart curriculum, high school students can
- master many cooking techniques and styles
- earn a place on the competition team and compete for trophies, prizes, and scholarships
- learn career-building skills like customer service and inventory management
- achieve multiple professional certifications,
- earn college credit,
- qualify for lucrative scholarships, and
- get a taste for success in an industry that is hungry for talent.
At the end of the program, students who meet the requirements have built a solid foundation for their future careers and receive the ProStart National Certificate of Achievement, a valuable asset regardless of whether the student chooses to continue in the Culinary field or chooses to explore other goals.
The ProStart National Certificate of Achievement recognizes students who have successfully completed the program and are eligible to earn special scholarships and college credit from colleges and universities across the country. It also opens the door to our vibrant and growing industry. In order to earn this Certificate, students must pass National Restaurant Association Solutions’ Year 1 and Year 2 exams, and complete 400 hours of mentored work experience. Students who earn their ProStart National Certificate of Achievement are eligible to apply for a scholarship from CFHLA, Florida and National Restaurant Association Educational Foundations.
Many college and university restaurant, foodservice and hospitality programs offer benefits to ProStart graduates. These institutions know that ProStart graduates have completed an approved curriculum and meet high standards of excellence. These credits include scholarships, class credits and credit towards work experience requirements. For example, Valencia College offers 9- 12 credits towards their Culinary Arts AND Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management programs. Additional information regarding ProStart may be found at the following websites: http://prostart.restaurant.org/ and www.goprostart.com or by clicking here.
Culinary students also prepare for and take the ServSafe Manager Certification Test, a nationally-recognized certification of knowledge, a required endorsement for the best jobs at most Restaurant and Hospitality companies in the US. Information on all of the certifications offered may be found by clicking here.
WHAT WE DO
The Culinary Arts Program at Wekiva High School is NOT a cooking class and a successful student is NOT measured by how well they can cook at home.
Our program functions as a working internship. Students learn and work alongside professional chefs, restaurateurs, and other experts in a commercial kitchen, learning while getting their hands dirty. They learn on commercial equipment and practice with professional tools. And just like with any other internship, promotions and opportunities come to those who have earned them.
While Culinary 1 is open to all freshmen, successive years in the program are available on a limited basis. Culinary 2, 3, and Advanced students maintain their spot in the program through active participation in program events, passing scores on certification exams, regular attendance, and cooking exam scores.
Wekiva Culinary also offers selected students the opportunity to participate in Culinary Competitions on the local, state, and national stage. Past teams have competed and won top marks, earning the opportunity to cook all over America. Membership in one of our competitive teams is a great opportunity for students to develop discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship — characteristics that the most demanding Colleges and Institutions are searching for.
TEACHING “CAREER-READY” Practices
“Career Ready Practices” describe the skills we seek to develop in our culinary students. These practices are not exclusive to the Culinary Arts, but are instead habits taught and reinforced in ALL career exploration and preparation programs.
- Act as a responsible and contributing citizen and employee.
- Apply appropriate academic and technical skills.
- Attend to personal health and financial well-being.
- Communicate clearly, effectively and with reason.
- Consider the environmental, social and economic impacts of decisions.
- Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
- Employ valid and reliable research strategies.
- Utilize critical thinking to make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
- Model integrity, ethical leadership and effective management.
- Plan education and career path aligned to personal goals.
- Use technology to enhance productivity.
- Work productively in teams while using cultural/global competence.