Culinary faculty honored at Texas Restaurant Awards

Chef Patrick Costello, instructor and advisor for the Tourism, Hospitality and Culinary Arts (THCA) Department at St. Philip's College, was recently honored with the Carmelo Mauro Award during the 2022 Texas Restaurant Awards held in Austin, Texas. The Carmelo Mauro Award is an annual recognition given by the Texas Restaurant Foundation (TRF) for outstanding achievement by an individual philanthropist. The award reflects an awardee that has demonstrated the highest ethical standards, commitment, dedication, and talent towards the future of the restaurant and foodservice industry. Texas Restaurant Awards honorees represent some of the most exciting hospitality leaders in Texas.

Chef Costello is a certified Executive Chef and Pastry Chef with the American Culinary Federation (ACF). ACF is North America's premier culinarian association focused on cultivating a professional chef image through education, certification, apprenticeship and accreditation. Chef Costello offers educational and professional experiences ranging from working with advisory boards to leading college-level international hospitality exchange programs and experience with business practices in Brazil and France.

In 2021, Chef Costello's International Cuisine class participated in a collaboration between SPC and the City of San Antonio World Heritage & Global Engagement Office in an international chef exchange with San Antonio's Sister City: Gwangju, South Korea. Students learned from a renowned kimchi master and San Antonio Chef Ambassador, Stephen Paprocki, during a virtual event that was part of the Gwangju World Kimchi Festival.

St. Philip's College has been named one of the 10 Best Culinary Schools in Texas by Best Value Schools. Programs withing the THCA Department prepare aspiring hospitality industry professionals for success and service within their industry. There are currently five programs and six certificates offered: Baking and Pastry Arts, Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, Hotel Management, and Restaurant Management. 

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