Culinary Schools in San Antonio
Wander along the San Antonio River Walk, and you'll get a little taste of what this Texan city has to offer to food enthusiasts and aspiring chefs alike. Although not the only place to find good eats in San Antonio, it is the highlight of many visits to the region. There is brisket, beef barbecue and Tex-Mex cuisine galore. Plus, you'll find seafood, burgers, take-out and more. Between all those restaurant choices and a growing leisure and hospitality industry, plenty of opportunity awaits graduates of culinary schools in San Antonio.
Famous restaurants and chefs in San Antonio
San Antonio was named a 2015 top foodie destination by Wine Enthusiast. That's little wonder with the long list of distinguished and celebrity chefs who have set up shop in San Antonio.
Some of the notable chefs in The Alamo City include the following:
- Luca Della Casa: Viewers of the show Food Network Star will recognize Luca Della Casa as the runner-up in that competition. Today, the almost-star works as the executive chef for Silo Elevated Cuisine, a Zagat top local pick, and the restaurant's small plates counterpart, Nosh.
- Quealy Watson: Fans of Asian foods will want to make a point to stop by Quealy Watson's restaurant Hot Joy during a visit to San Antonio. It features Asian-inspired food from the chef named a Rising Star in 2012 by StarChefs.com.
- Johnny Hernandez: Another San Antonio chef you may have seen on TV is Johnny Hernandez. He's been on Top Chef: Texas and Man Fire Food. He's also the one responsible for bringing El Machito, Fruteria and La Gloria Ice House to San Antonio.
In addition to famous chefs, the Wine & Culinary Arts Organization is also responsible for helping San Antonio become a foodie mecca. The organization hosts a number of events throughout the year including Restaurant Week, the Culinaria Festival and Chefs & Cellars.
According to TripAdvisor.com, there are more than 4,150 restaurants in San Antonio. Those who are interested in a culinary career might consider checking out some of these dining choices. Here are a few places to move to the top of your food bucket list:
- Bliss: Out of all those restaurants listed on TripAdvisor.com, Bliss rises to the top in terms of overall user ratings. The American contemporary restaurant comes from Mark Bliss who is something of a superstar on the San Antonio food scene.
- Koi Kawa Japanese Restaurant: If you're a Zagat fan, you may want to head to Koi Kawa Japanese Restaurant. It's an unassuming restaurant and sushi bar on the riverfront that managed to garner the highest food score from Zagat in San Antonio.
- El Bucanero: Craving Mexican and seafood? Then San Antonio Magazine says El Bucanero is the place to eat without breaking the bank. The family-owned restaurant serves up traditional and Mexican-style seafood as well as enough meaty options to satisfy any carnivore.
Other San Antonio food options to explore include cozy cafés, food trucks and dessert quick-stops -- establishments that serve up practically all types of crave-worthy cuisine.
Culinary schools & career outlook in San Antonio
There is plenty of good food to eat in San Antonio and that translates to plenty of jobs for those who want to make a living in the culinary arts. In fact, the entire state of Texas is expected to see significant growth in several culinary occupations in the coming years.
The following chart demonstrates just how in demand workers such as head chefs, food service managers and others will be. Below are the employment numbers for the San Antonio metro area as well as the expected growth for these positions statewide.
| Occupation | Total Employment in San Antonio (2013) | Average Salary in San Antonio (2013) | % Job Growth in Texas (2012-22) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakers | 850 | $24,750 | 20.8% |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | 540 | $43,930 | 19.4% |
| Food Service Managers | 1,520 | $57,470 | 16.6% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Prep and Service | 7,170 | $30,490 | 30.6% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013, and Projections Central
Overall, the leisure and hospitality industry in San Antonio employed nearly 120,000 workers in November 2014, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That number represents a 3.3 percent increase from the previous year.
It's certainly an exciting time to be a part of the San Antonio food scene. For those who want to do more than simply eat good food, cooking schools in San Antonio can help you learn how to create meals that make use of the latest flavors, textures and trends. Graduates of culinary schools in San Antonio are sure to have a leg up on the competition in this beginning-to-boom industry. Be a part of the dynamic dining scene by contacting culinary schools in San Antonio for more information about their available programs.
Sources:
- Projections Central, Texas, https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm
- Best of the City, San Antonio Magazine, http://www.sanantoniomag.com/SAM/January-2014/Best-of-the-City/
- San Antonio's top chefs, MySA, http://www.mysanantonio.com/food/restaurants/article/San-Antonio-s-top-chefs-5598859.php
- San Antonio River Walk, http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com/
- Best Restaurants in San Antonio, TX, TripAdvisor, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60956-San_Antonio_Texas.html
- Economy at a Glance, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.tx_sanantonio_msa.htm
- May 2013 Occupational Employment Statistics, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_41700.htm
- San Antonia Restaurants, Zagat, http://www.zagat.com/p/san-antonio
- Culinaria Events, Wine & Culinary Arts Organization, http://culinariasa.org/san-antonio/events/
