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For 8 weeks, students enrolled in the Dallas College Restaurant Leadership Program are gaining hands-on experience aimed at reshaping the industry by cultivating future leaders, one student at a time.
Michelle Carpenter, Owner, and Executive Chef of Restaurant Beatrice, recognizes the need for more women in leadership roles within the restaurant industry. Drawing from her own experiences, Carpenter, a James Beard Award finalist, aims to provide mentorship opportunities she wished she had early in her career.
Teaming up with Dallas College, Carpenter launched a program designed to empower and mentor women aspiring to excel in restaurant leadership roles. The initiative aims to foster social change and create a more equitable playing field for female leaders in the restaurant sector.
Despite the fact that approximately two-thirds of restaurant employees are female, only slightly over one-third of leadership positions in the industry are held by women, according to the National Restaurant Association.
Students like Morgan Clayton, transitioning from different career paths, see the program as an opportunity to absorb valuable knowledge and skills necessary for success in the restaurant industry.
The 8-week program, offered tuition-free, provides students with practical experiences through rotations at various DFW area restaurants, including Restaurant Beatrice, Roots Southern Table, Lucia, and establishments within the Duro Hospitality Group.
Beyond empowering women, the program also encourages male students to become allies for female leadership, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to growth and innovation.
Bryce Hayden, a culinary student, sees the program as an opportunity to learn not only about leadership but also about diverse perspectives, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and supportive industry culture.
Through initiatives like the Restaurant Leadership Program, Carpenter believes that they are not only making a positive impact on individual lives but also contributing to the overall improvement of the industry, paving the way for a more diverse and inclusive future.
The program’s free tuition is made possible through support from the Dallas College Foundation, with a gourmet dinner fundraiser scheduled for March 25 at Dallas College to further sustain the initiative.