Culinary Academy of Las Vegas
Maria Velasco DeCastro is an experienced professional who has worked in the culinary education industry for many years. Maria currently serves as an Outreach Specialist/Career Developer at The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas. Prior to this role, Maria was a Campus Manager in Career Services at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas. With a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines, Maria brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their current position.
Culinary Academy of Las Vegas
The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas is the largest provider of training for entry-level and incumbent workers in the Las Vegas hospitality industry. As a labor-management trust, the Academy has invaluable partnerships with the Culinary Union 226, Bartenders Union 165, and 28 major properties on the Las Vegas Strip. Our goal is to provide high-quality training that will enable people to have great careers in the hospitality industry, with good wages, opportunities for career advancement, and health and retirement benefits. The Academy is an internationally recognized model for workplace education and vocational training. The vision of the Culinary Academy of Las Vegas is to reduce poverty and eliminate unemployment by providing employability and vocational skills to youth, adults, and displaced workers. Each year, the Academy trains several thousand people in 12 job classifications for the local hospitality industry: baker’s helper, bar back, bar porter, bus person, food server, fountain worker, guest room attendant, house person/utility porter, professional cook, sommelier, steward, and wine server. Our training model simulates actual working conditions wherever possible.