Following the success of the first Women in Restaurants Leadership Program, it will be offered again this fall. The program, which is aimed at anyone working in Dallas restaurants and looking to advance their culinary career, was launched earlier this year by Restaurant Beatrice and Dallas College.

The Women in Restaurants Leadership Program was created to close the gender gap in leadership positions in the region’s industry.

“Sixty-five percent of the industry’s workforce is women, but only 35 percent (in leadership positions) are women. So there’s a lot of inequality, and we’re working to address that inequality, but we need allies,” says Steve DeShazo, senior director of Workforce Initiatives at Dallas College.

DeShazo explained that the program is an eight-week course that runs from September 9 to October 28, where participants will shadow chefs from restaurants such as Beatrice, Zen Sushi, Rye, Roots Southern Kitchen, Duro Hospitality Group and Crown Block.

In addition, students will attend sessions with guest speakers from the industry. They will also complete four experiences in two different restaurants, covering both service and back-of-house operations.

“One of the most powerful aspects of this program that we’ve heard from students is the connections they’ve made during the 8-week course,” DeShazo said. “They’re connecting with a lot of people and that helps them progress.”

Although most applicants for the program are Dallas College students, the program is open to anyone who wants to pursue a career in culinary arts, regardless of gender.

“From the first post-class survey, we learned that 82% of students received job/internship offers,” said a press release from Restaurant Beatrice. “Anyone interested can enroll in a tuition-free program, learn our leadership style, partner with the city’s best restaurants, and host a capstone dinner to help recoup freshman costs.”

The Capstone Dinner is the final event of the program. All students are involved throughout the process – from plate preparation and presentation to table and menu design – so they can demonstrate their skills and knowledge.

This second edition of the program, the Capstone Dinner is a public fundraiser that will take place on October 28th at Beatrice Restaurant, hosted by Chef Michelle Carpenter (pictured above).

Enrollment information will be emailed directly from DeShazo at Dallas College.