CCAP Arizona jobs program to boost state's hospitality industry

Every school year, around 200 or so junior and senior culinary students across Arizona sign up to compete in an annual scholarship competition in the kitchen. Through the Careers in Culinary Arts Program, they have the opportunity to win anywhere from about $1,500 to more than $100,000 in culinary scholarship dollars. But only 30 or so will make it to finals.  What happens to those who don't make it - or who don't relish competitions?

It's not just about the competition.

CCAP Arizona is ready to move into a critical role that can help Arizona's biggest industry both grow and advance exponentially over the next few years.

Beyond scholarships and structured training leading to degrees in culinary and in Arizona an opportunity to take a big first step in this state's 21 billion dollar hospitality industry.

This past summer, 11 recent CCAP grads participated in a ten-week job training program. It's based on the national CCAP professional certification program, and focuses on both "soft" and "hard" skills.

The program also relies on the web-based Rouxbe culinary program, which allows participants to test themselves in a range of culinary skills, from knife work to basic prep.

"These students were all successful competition participants," explains Arizona's CCAP director, Jill Smith.

"While we reviewed and assessed their technical skills throughout the summer, our main focus was on 'soft skills,' such as letter and resume writing, social media use, front-of-the-house-work - and personal interactions!"

Activities included working with CCAP's Veggie Valet program at Phoenix's public market, reading for the CCAP Book Club (Marcus Samuelsson and Richard Grausman were just two of the authors covered), and coordination and cooperation with the Arizona Dairy Council. 

Students also completed and tested through Rouxbe's online culinary program.

"We've really developed a structured program with measurable results," Jill says. 

"What has been especially gratifying to all of us who've worked to make this program happen is that, this summer, we've truly been able to see growth in each of our students - not just professionally but also as caring persons who have grown greatly in their capacity to connect with others in a shared journey."

She and the CCAP Arizona team, including Nicole Swartz, Dr. Carrole Wolin, and Leslie Gennaro, are completing details of a program they plan to begin implementing this fall.

The gist of this program is that it will be available to all culinary students in participating schools - not just to students who sign up for competition. The intent is to help meet industry needs and help students meet their culinary career goals.

"We want students to finish this course knowing they are proficient in their culinary skills, that they understand how to work, and know that when they show up on time they are ready to work," Jill says.

"CCAP has a stellar reputation," she adds, "and we want to be able to have a positive impact with as many students as possible becoming the next leaders in hospitality."

Arizona's hospitality industry is expected to reach $12 billion in sales just this year.  Overall, the industry is growing faster than any other economic sector in the state - and is expected to hold that position for at least the next decade.