Culinary Arts: Home

The Culinary Arts Program at Houston Community College provides students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and technical skills to become successful culinary professionals.

The American and European Press has named Eddy Van Damme the Prince of Pastry. Chef Eddy has won numerous awards and pastry competitions and holds 5 ACF gold medals. The baking text book, On Baking, which he co-authored was selected out of 4,000 culinary books and has been awarded in Sweden as the best professional cook book of the world. In Belgium he went to pastry school in Bruges and at PIVA in Antwerp. He also studied patisserie in Paris at LeNôtre and Cacao Barry. He teaches his ground breaking techniques at the Pastry program of Houston Community College.

Hugo Ortega is executive chef/co-owner of four of Houston’s top restaurants – Backstreet Cafe, Hugo’s, Caracol and Xochi, and winner of Best Chef: Southwest at the prestigious 2017 James Beard Foundation Awards. (He was a finalist for the award for six consecutive years, 2012- 2017.) Ortega has been recognized locally, nationally and globally for his inspirational story and his passion for sharing traditional Mexican cooking and culture.