Dallas College Culinary Arts' $15 Weekly Lunches Are Still Great

As you might imagine, as food writers we’re both in love with and in awe of culinary craftsmanship. As Dallasites, when we come to find that a creative and talented chef is one of our own, it makes dining wherever they are that much more special.

Fine patisserie and culinary craftsmanship don’t appear out of thin air, though, and that’s where the Dallas College Culinary Arts program comes into play — particularly, the weekly lunches they serve on campus.

This program serves as a way for hospitality and culinary arts students, described as “future Dallas celebrity chefs,” to gain practical, hands-on restaurant experience. It has helped nurture the talent of some of Dallas’ most sought-after chefs and bakers. Many El Centro alumni have gone on to work at beloved local spots like Parigi, Uchi, III Forks and La Duni, to name a few. Throughout the fall and spring semesters, anyone can head over to the campus to enjoy fine dining in the form of a 3- or 4-course meal for only $15. Two campuses take part in the program: Webb Chapel on Tuesday and the downtown campus on Thursday. Both days offer a themed menu based on a different international cuisine each week, completely driven by studnets.

If that isn’t enticing enough, all proceeds go toward funding student culinary workforce programs. You can support local aspiring chefs and hospitality workers, all while indulging in a fine-dining lunch.

Visit the website to view menus, make reservations and pay for your meals in advance.

The downtown campus (801 Main St., Room C100) lunch schedule includes:

Feb. 15 – Cajun Cuisine
Feb. 22 – Low Country Cuisine
March 7 – Pacific Coast Cuisine
March 28 – Deep South Cuisine
April 4 – Floridian Cuisine
April 11 – Southwestern Cuisine
April 18 – Mid-Atlantic Cuisine
April 25 – Creole Cuisine
May 2 – Texas Buffet

The Webb Chapel campus (11830 Webb Chapel Road, No. 1200) lunch schedule includes:

Feb. 13 – Tour of France
Feb. 20 – The British Islands
Feb. 27 – The Mediterranean
March 5 – Mexico
March 19 – The Caribbean
March 26 – Korean
April 2 – India and Pakistan
April 9 – South America
April 16 – Thailand
April 23 – North Africa
April 30 – World Buffet

Some departing food for thought: lunch will be offered both the day before and after Valentine’s Day. On Feb. 13, the theme is “Tour of France,” which is both romantic and timely (and only $30 for you and your boo). Your date will get to indulge in a fine-dining lunch and they’ll think you’re cute for supporting local up-and-coming chefs. A win-win in our book.

Check Dallas College's El Centro and Webb Chapel sites to secure your spot. The program is ongoing, so be sure to sign up for email notifications.

El Centro Campus, 801 Main St., C Building, Room C100 (Downtown Dallas), 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Thursdays.

Culinary Pastry and Hospitality Center, 11830 Webb Chapel Road, No. 1200 (North Dallas). Multiple times starting at 11 a.m., Tuesdays.