Culinary Arts Training Program – Advanced

Our FREE training program will prepare you for a union culinary arts job with benefits! 

UNITE HERE Local 17, Minnesota’s hospitality union, helped us design this training, and our employer partner is ready to hire! In addition, our FREE program for qualifying individuals provides many specialized services that meet the needs of busy people. MTP’s Culinary Arts Training Program will prepare you for jobs in the hospitality industry, offering exceptional work environments, generous pay and benefits, and opportunities for education, training, and advancement. Our program leverages strong, well-established partnerships with St. Paul College, our union partner Unite HERE Local 17, and a reputable employer partner to help underserved groups enter and sustain employment in nontraditional occupations. Key components of the short-term program include online training modules, lab training at St. Paul College, paid work experience with our employer partner, culturally responsive services, and strong connections to placement opportunities after the training.

Skill Training: Safety& Sanitation ServSafe® Certification, Nutrition, Cost Control, Lab and Fabrication (It covers essential culinary skills, including knife techniques, meat and vegetable preparation, and other foundational cooking methods) (St Paul College 20 hours)

Work Readiness: Employer expectations, resume enhancement, networking, job search, interviewing. 

Other Program Highlights: In addition to training onsite at Saint Paul College’s culinary training facilities, you’ll receive a full range of other assistance:

• Personalized, one-to-one help from a Program Navigator throughout your program participation.
• Support services to help ensure you graduate. 
• Work readiness and other training to help you get a good job in the hospitality field and meet your long-term goals. 
• Hands-on training with a skilled chef at Saint Paul College’s culinary training center.
• Opportunities to network with our employer partners and experienced union leaders

To qualify, participants must: 

• Be 18 years or older 
• Be eligible to work in the U.S. 
• Not be enrolled in a K–12 school 
• Be actively seeking employment 
• Have a household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or Identify as an individual of color
• Applicants will be requested to provide photo ID, social security card, and work authorization documentation (if not a U.S. citizen)

Training Location: St Paul College

Date: February 2, 2026

Prerequisites: Program is designed for BIPOC or lower-income income participants.

Cost: Free