FORT WORTH, Texas — Katrina Warner has come a long way from her teen days as a dishwasher. She used to clean the plates. Now she puts quality cuisine on them.
Following in her brother’s footsteps, she chose to go to culinary school after high school.
Warner joined Tarrant County College in 2002 as an instructor and coordinator for the Culinary Arts Program. In July the American Culinary Federation (ACF), North America’s largest professional chefs’ organization, named her Chef Educator of the Year.
TCC Southeast President Andy Bowne hails Warner as an outstanding chef and educator. “To be selected by the ACF is a tremendous honor, considering the caliber of the other finalists. She is committed to helping our students gain the knowledge, skills and credentials to excel as professionals.”
Warner competed with five chef educators from across the country. Her 50-minute cooking lesson featured preparing two plates for the three judges and a 10-minute Q&A with the audience.
Chefs must be certified to qualify for the competition. Warner earned her ACF Executive Chef certification in 2023. Additionally, she received the Texas Chefs Association, Dallas chapter’s Educator of the Year recognition in 2019 and the organization’s Educator of the Year award in 2022.
TCC is certified by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission (ACFEFAC). The College’s Culinary Arts degree holds an exemplary rating, which signifies compliance with all accreditation requirements and excellent management of the program.
Warner considers it an honor to share the knowledge she has acquired from her mentors. She credits them, along with her instructors and classmates, for her success.
“It is vital,” she said, “for food service professionals to train and share all their knowledge and wisdom with the next generation of employees coming into the workforce.”
Culinary student Ade Tokunbo calls Warner an exceptional instructor who has taught her so much about cooking. Warner appreciates the praise.
“I always strive to do my best in the classroom,” she said. “My goal is that the students understand the material and are confident in the kitchen and that they will be successful in their careers after they graduate.”
Culinary Arts – Tarrant County College (tccd.edu)
- Pathway: Business & Industry
- Campus: Southeast
About Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.