March 13, 2025 - From soufflé to filet mignon, the Culinary Arts Career Technical Education pathway at Smithson Valley High School is teaching students how to prepare food and run a business. With the guidance and encouragement of Culinary Arts teacher Morgan Warren, running a kitchen becomes second nature to students who join the class.
In fact, SVHS senior Jakob Fouts found the drive to kickstart his baked goods business through Warren’s Introduction to Culinary class.
“My whole family loves to cook, so food has been a huge presence my whole life,” Fouts explains. “I opened my business last summer with the encouragement of Chef Warren and my school counselor.”
The business, Jake N’ Bake, opened its doors in June with a baked goods donation to Comal ISD’s Comal U, a district professional learning event, and it is scheduled to make an appearance at this year's Comal U as well, offering homemade cookies, cakepops, and its bestselling oatmeal cream pies.
After that initial launch, Fouts grew his business using social media, sharing his creations via Instagram @JakeNBake2024 and fulfilling orders that ranged from local families to corporations.
Post graduation Fouts intends to continue his culinary career with a local internship, in hopes of growing his business further.
“My goal is to continue expanding my business and hopefully open a storefront one day,” Fouts says. “In the meantime, I have an internship setup with Ben E. Keith, the food distribution company, to gain more hands-on experience with their top chefs.”
Through the culinary arts program at SVHS, students like Fouts receive hands-on experience working in an industrial kitchen. A few of these opportunities include catering meals during football season, completing catering orders for various organizations, companies, and fundraising events such as baking pies for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Students will learn how to cook all types of recipes utilizing tips and tricks I show them to come out with better outcomes, how to use industrial kitchen equipment, how to clean and sanitize a kitchen, how to budget, and plan for events,” Chef Warren shares. “All of these skills can be applied in everyday life or to jobs in the industry.”
Students who complete the Culinary Arts pathway have the opportunity to obtain a Food Protection Manager certification which is good for five years and provides them the credentials needed to manage a food service establishment.
“Cooking is a life skill so whether you are joining because you are interested in a culinary career or just to learn to cook for yourself, culinary is a benefit to all,” Warren says. “It is hard work but a labor of love, and who can complain about free food!”
Jakob Fouts is one of many students who are taking advantage of the resources CTE classes provide. Although Fouts joined Culinary Arts his junior year of high school, the impact it has had on his life has been immeasurable. His budding business is another example of how Comal ISD CTE courses are providing opportunities for students to grow greatness.
Thank you Jakob Fouts for including Comal ISD in your Path to Success!
Photo Descriptions
-Smithson Valley High School senior Jakob Fouts
-Smithson Valley High School Culinary Arts teacher Chef Warren in the kitchen with students
-Smithson Valley High School Culinary Arts student Madison Adams
-Student prepared appetizers