Smallwares and equipment has been ordered for the program. We have met with all the partners and are fine tuning the curriculum to fit our time restraints. The class will be set for March and run through mid may. Chesapeake College is setting up the curriculum with the higher education administration to be a recognized certification program. 2/25 a meeting will be held at the culinary center in Denton with local hospitality employers to present the curriculum and the intent of the program to train individuals to be entry level cooks. We will be executing as well a 4 Saturday Professional server course for the general public to tie in with the hospitality training for the region. An instructor has been retained that can also teach and facilitate the National Sanitation course ServSafe. We are on our way!

This program will teach a job skill in culinary arts that will make the participant employable. 

The FoodWorks program was created by the Maryland Food Bank to address the need for professionally trained staff for the hospitality industry, and also to support economically independent families.  Through a unique collaboration with Chesapeake College, the FoodWorks Program will offer a fresh start to low-income individuals by providing 12 weeks of intense culinary training. FoodWorks students learn basic cooking skills while converting fresh produce and other perishable foods into healthy meals for distribution to those in need.

The program will be located at the culinary center and will run two times a year.  An additional session may be added if necessary to meet demand.  Over the course of 12 weeks, the chef/ instructor guides a select group of 10-12 students through a curriculum that includes fundamental culinary techniques, nutrition, menu planning and job-seeking skills.

The purpose of this job training is to attract displaced youth. We have been in conversations with the workforce investment and they have potential candidates for the program.  The Chesapeake Culinary Center will partner with both the Maryland Food Bank and Chesapeake College to offer this program to our disconnected youth countywide, between the ages of 16-24 and in need of a job skill.