Culinary Schools in Lubbock

Texans have always done things their way, and barbecue is no exception. The city of Lubbock, located in the northwestern corner of the Lone Star State, has a total of 265 days of sunshine a year and offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. In fact, Lubbock has more neighborhood parks per capita than any city in Texas. Live music and festivals also take center stage here, including the Lubbock Arts Festival, which is held in April of every year and features more than 150 visual artists.

Lubbock could be a good place for culinary students to get started in their careers. The business conditions are ideal, with low rent, a city government dedicated to helping small businesses and a location that's very central for the South Plains area.

Famous Lubbock food and restaurants

We could write volumes on Texas food, but culinary students in Lubbock will get to know the basics. First, it seems that every Texan has an opinion on how to best craft the best meat. The general consensus is that rubs pre-cooking are a must and sauces are oftentimes not necessary. What everyone can agree on is that barbecue must be smoked very slowly and that it's got to be beef brisket or pork ribs. And nothing says the South quite like chicken-fried steak, and you can get the real deal in Lubbock: think pan-fried deliciousness, topped with thick gravy. Some say that it's an offshoot of schnitzel, the German specialty made with breaded veal or pork, and that the Germans who settled in Texas helped popularize it. Fried okra in a cornmeal batter is another must in Texas. It might not be good for you, but it sure is tasty. Chili, another Texas mainstay, contains no beans if made the Texas way: it's all red chile and beef here.

In terms of favorite Lubbock restaurants, there are quite a few to choose from. Culinary students shouldn't miss out on these three beloved eateries:

• The Shack: As the name implies, you won't find white tablecloths here. This, yes, shack, features some of the best BBQ around, and when this very casual family-run eatery runs out of food, they will put a sign to that effect in the window.
• The Vine: This upscale restaurant features highly innovative cuisine -- actually, Southwestern, Mediterranean and Oriental cuisines, but all very French at its core. Chef Cindy Meyer enjoys discovering new food trends, and it shows in everything from her creative crepes to her shrimp Genovese.
• El Paisano Restaurant: This simple, family-run Mexican restaurant serves outstanding Mexican favorites. It's a true hole-in-the-wall, located in a strip mall. The prices are very reasonable, and the carne asada is top-notch. Open for breakfast and lunch.

Texans spent a projected $40.8 billion on dining in 2013, according to data from the National Restaurant Association -- but wine is also an attraction here. Now in its fourth year, the Lubbock Wine & Vines Festival brings together some of the best winemakers in the region for two days of wine tasting, food sampling, and live music. The admission proceeds are donated to a charity -- we will drink to that!

Lubbock culinary career outlook

Texas has plenty to offer culinary students in addition to great food. Please have a look at the table below to get an idea of the average earnings for food and beverage positions in the state of Texas.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014

Texas is a big state with many big metro areas, and according to BLS data the average earnings tend to increase as the metro area increases. Here's a look at what graduates of Lubbock cooking schools might be able to expect after graduation, compared to the statewide chart above.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014

If you are ready to start your culinary career and are interested in attending one of the Lubbock cooking schools, have a look at the list of schools we have provided below. Here's to perfecting your Southern favorites -- no cowboy hat required.

Sources:

• 12 essential Texas food and drinks -and where to find them, The Dallas Morning News, Kim Pierce, January 8, 2015, http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/restaurants/headlines/20131120-the-10-most-essential-texas-foods -- and-two-iconic-texas-drinks-to-wash-them-down.ece
• Best Places to Launch, CNN Money, Tina Peng, http://money.cnn.com/smallbusiness/best_places_launch/2009/snapshot/201.html
• El Paisano Mexican Restaurant: https://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Paisano-Mexican-Restaurant/131893573554035
• Events, http://www.visitlubbock.org/events/action~posterboard/cat_ids~112/
• May 2014 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Texas http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm
• May 2014 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, Lubbock, TX http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_31180.htm
• Museums, http://www.visitlubbock.org/visit/attractions/#museums
• The Shack, Lubbock: https://www.facebook.com/theshacklubbockbbq
• The Vine, Lubbock: http://www.thevinelubbock.com/
• Texas restaurant industry at a glance: http://www.restaurant.org/Downloads/PDFs/State-Statistics/texas