The Teaching Kitchen

Food service job training for individuals facing barriers to employment.

THE PROGRAM

The Teaching Kitchen is a free 12-week job training program for people interested in careers in the food service industry who face barriers to employment. As trainees learn food preparation and cooking techniques, they also help our culinary team prepare the meals we deliver to our clients experiencing a critical or chronic illness.

Trainees learn in Community Servings’ state-of-the-art industrial kitchen, an exceptional venue for applying this well-structured and hands-on learning experience. The Teaching Kitchen’s curriculum covers all facets of working in a professional kitchen, including food safety, knife skills, cooking techniques, and nutrition.

Class hours are 9am-4pm, Monday through Thursday. Additional internship hours are offered on Friday.

 

 

We’re accepting applications for our upcoming sessions!

2024

  • August 26 – November 14
  • October 7 – December 19

2025

  • January 6 – March 27

 

Additional Highlights

Our 12-week, hands-on program includes:

  • Classes and materials (chef coats and textbooks) provided at no cost
  • Daily hot community lunch
  • Chef-led kitchen + classroom instruction
  • Real work experience 
  • Training for the ServSafe® certification exam
  • Job Readiness + Nutrition classes
  • Financial Empowerment + Computer classes
  • Resume + job placement assistance for one year 
  • Field trips to restaurants + demonstrations by guest chefs
  • Some applicants qualify to earn an hourly wage while learning! 

OUR TRAINEES

The Teaching Kitchen provides a structured and supportive place for trainees from diverse backgrounds and circumstances to develop the professional and life skills needed to be successful in the food service industry.

Our program provides supports to those who, for a variety of reasons, are experiencing barriers to employment.

Individuals may have limited formal education, be unhoused, in substance abuse recovery, have gaps in employment, or returning to the workforce after
incarceration. Trainees range in age from 18-65 and are often single parents.

JOB PLACEMENT

Upon graduation, 84% of students placed in jobs retain employment for at least 30 days.

Trainees receive assistance with resumé writing, interview skills, and job searches while in the program and for a year after completion. Following graduation, our trainees work in a  variety of food service settings, including colleges and universities, nonprofits, catering businesses, grocery stores, hotels, and restaurants.

“These past months we became more than friends, we became family. I’m glad to have met all of you at Community Servings. You gave me another chance.”

Teaching Kitchen graduate, returning citizen

TRAINEE VOICES

Preparing Individuals for Food Service Careers

While trainees are learning about different cooking methods and safe food handling, they’re also helping us prepare meals for our clients – it’s a win-win!

Teaching Kitchen Graduate Kerry Rollins – 2022

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