What Perceived Challenges Contribute to the Retention of Black Female Culinary Students at a Community College in Southern Louisiana?

Abstract

     This paper examines the unique challenges encountered by Black female culinary students. Set within a culinary school located in the South, this researcher seeks to understand obstacles and present practical solutions to overcome these burdens. Black female culinary students face the distinct intersectionality of being both Black and female in a profession steeped in the Eurocentric stereotypes determined by White male chefs. By concentration on a culinary school in the South, this study not only addresses the specific challenges faced by its Black female students but also provides insights that may resonate with a broader student population. Through the implementation of a focus group and a questionnaire, this phenomenological study aims to pinpoint and examine the precise issues these students encounter in their pursuit of their degrees and certificates. This approach allows the establishment of meaningful cooperation among participants to formulate realistic solutions, ultimately enabling the school to better support and retain these students until they successfully complete their culinary education.