Austin Community College is taking the lead when it comes to educating employees for the ever-growing restaurant and hospitality industry. ACC's Culinary Arts program is expanding and building a reputation as the training ground for great chefs.

Penelope Cruz takes pride in her work as a member of the Driskill Hotel's cooking staff. Everyday brings a new cooking challenge.

"Working here in the Driskill and learning everything from working in the cafe and then going up to banquets and doing dinners like for 5,000 people," said Cruz.

She received much of her training as a culinary arts student at Austin Community College. It's one of the fastest growing career curriculums offered at ACC. A fully-equipped industrial kitchen, with its own wood burning oven, provides a hands-on lab.

Today Chef Brian Hay is demonstrating how to create a pizza, but it's much more than learning how to whip up a tasty meal.

"We're aiming for management and ownership. No matter how good of a chef you are you can make the best food in the world, you have to learn to make money" said Chef Brian McCormick, with the Culinary Arts program.

A two-year Associate Degree will prepare students to fill a growing number of jobs within the food industry.

"The explosion of retirement living communities, cruise industries, travel and tourism, hotels. The business is just booming!" McCormick said.

And soon, both chefs will be featured in a new cooking show. "Austin Cooks" premieres February 4 on Cable Channel 19 as well as online. It's the latest way ACC is expanding its culinary arts curriculum.

"This is an excellent program compared to the other programs and it rates very high. I think it's one of the best," said Mary Rankins, student.

Rankins is about to retire from her first career and launch a second one within the food industry.

"That's how we do the pizzas," said Chef Hay as the class assignment was finished and the students enjoyed a slice fresh from the oven. An added perk is getting to chow down on whatever the classroom cooks up.