Russell Woodward, chair of the Texas Restaurant Foundation, said that they have long-term involvement with high school culinary programs and that culinary and hospitality education is shaping the future workforce. Woodward was a guest on a recent episode of the Texas Talks Podcast.

"One of the areas that we have focused on and continued to focus on is the high school level culinary programs and hospitality," said Woodward on a recent edition of the Texas Talks Podcast. "There's a curriculum that was developed by the National Restaurant Association that we use here in Texas called ProStart. That curriculum now is being used in over 225 high school programs across the state of Texas.”  

“There are additional ones, so that career and technology and education piece that we're finding coming back into high schools is very strong and growing, and culinary and hospitality is an important part of that," said Woodward.

Woodward serves as the chair of the Texas Restaurant Foundation, Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation Board of Trustees, and is a member of the American Meat Science Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree in food science with a special emphasis in meat science from Texas A&M University.  Woodward serves as the director of food service and industry relations at Nolan Ryan Brands.

Texas Talks podcast is hosted by Brad Swail. The weekly show is focused on public policy in the state of Texas, with insights from the people and organizations that influence it.

The podcast is available on Simple Cast and YouTube.