Culinary Skills Training

Catholic Charities’ Culinary Skills Training Program is a 10-week class to prepare adults for jobs in the food industry. With daily classes, students not only learn in the classroom but experience hands-on learning in a professional kitchen.

Based on the successful DC Central Kitchen program in Washington, D.C., The Catholic Charities Culinary Training Program offers participants the skills needed to help them enter the workforce in the culinary field. Ultimately, with that experience, participants will be better equipped to access permanent housing.

Week 1
Students learn proper food handling, sanitation, health and safety. Students earn the ServSafe Food Handlers Certificate.

Weeks 2-8
Students spend time in the classroom and also begin to cook in the kitchen! Aspiring chefs will use fresh ingredients, learn dry and moist heating methods, learn knives and basic cuts, prepare stocks, soups, sauces, fruit, vegetables, eggs, pastas, potatoes and much more.

Weeks 9-10
During the last two weeks, students expand their knowledge with a two-week internship in the culinary field.

In addition to classroom and kitchen work, participants:
• Attend job readiness and empowerment workshops weekly throughout the program.
• Receive one-on-one support from and employment coach weekly
• Learn from guest speakers
• Go on field trips to a variety of locations. Past trips include Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis Farmer’s Market, Reinhart Foods and food shows, among others.

Eligibility
Participation in Catholic Charities’ Culinary Skills Training Program is competitive.
Individuals must meet the following criteria to be considered.
– Have a strong desire to work in the food service industry
– Be receiving SNAP Food Support benefits
– Able to commit to a 10-week, Monday-Friday, every afternoon class schedule

Contact:
For more information or to set up an initial interview, call Laura Skubic at (612) 204-8307 or Laura.Skubic@cctwincities.org

Restaurants
Catholic Charities Culinary Skills Training Program provides restaurants an opportunity to test drive potential employees at no cost while making a positive difference. The program produces aspiring cooks who are ServSafe certified and have weeks of training under the belts. They have learned both in the classrooms and in the kitchen while dedicating themselves to work as a team and learn the basics of this profession.

We are looking for local restaurants and food service organizations who are interested in hosting our students for two-week internships. Our students, who are experiencing homelessness and have a strong desire to work, get a foot in the door and are better prepared to re-enter the workforce. Ultimately, with that employment, participants have the ability to access permanent housing.

Restaurants and food-service providers who would like more information about potentially hosting interns are encouraged to contact Laura Skubic at 612-204-8307.