Organizational example:
Guadalupe Centers, Inc.
Organization/Program |
Culinary Arts Institute |
Program Purpose |
To improve the quality of life for the Latino population and urban core of the Kansas City metropolitan area by increasing job opportunities to the residents and decreasing long-term vacancies in the local culinary industry. |
Program Description |
The Culinary Arts Institute has three main requirements: that an individual be 18 years or older, able to work legally in the United States, committed to working in the culinary industry for at least 6 months, and be a resident of the state of Missouri. The twelve-week training program consists of three parts: 1) In the first three weeks, Associates complete the ServSafe certificate training (an industry-based certification offered through the National Restaurant Association). The program administers the training and tests and the Association grades the tests and issues the certificates. 2) The heart of the training is the next several weeks, in which Associates engage in food preparation training and learn classic cooking techniques. This consists mostly of learning through teamwork in their instructional kitchen; at that point there is very little classroom training. Upon completion of the training, the Associates will have mastered certain competencies such as breakfast preparation; cooking of meats and vegetables; utilization of commercial cooking equipment; chopping and cutting of vegetables; salad and sandwich preparation; identification of acceptable food products such as meat, fish, poultry and vegetables; and other competencies pertinent to Preparatory Cook duties. 3) During the last few days of the program, Associates engage in life skills training, in which they learn ways to find and keep jobs. All training occurs four days per week for four hours each day. At the end of training is a graduation ceremony. |
Progress |
Since 2000, the year it was launched, the program has trained 692 Associates and placed 418 (60% placement rate). Hourly placement salaries range from $7 to $13, with an average of $9 (this is above the placement wage goal). |
Contact Information |
Sonia Lona, Case Manager for Culinary Arts |
Information from Sonia Lona of GuadalupeCenters and from DCHD et al, 2003.