Cincinnati COOKS!

A recent graduate of Cincinnati COOKS! shares her story: "When I first visited the FreestoreFoodbank, I wasn't motivated to improve my life. I was drinking too much and depressed. I lived in a bad neighborhood and didn't like being around negative stuff like guns and drugs. Cincinnati COOKS! was an opportunity to do something worthwhile. They had high expectations and gave us serious, realistic training to prepare us for real jobs." This graduate is now employed as a cook in the kitchen of a nonprofit agency that shelters women in treatment for substance abuse.

Cincinnati COOKS! is a free, ten-week culinary training program that prepares low-income, at-risk adults for employment in the food service industry. Meals and snacks prepared by COOKS! students are served to children who attend the FreestoreFoodbank's Kids Cafe program.

Operating out of the Rosenthal Community Kitchen on Ezzard Charles Drive in Cincinnati's West End, the Cincinnati COOKS! program uses donated and rescued food from the foodbank to prepare meals and snacks. Classes of ten to twelve adults receive comprehensive training in all aspects of food preparation and kitchen operations, including ServSafe food handling and knife skills. There is also a 20-hour job/life skills component. Volunteers from the food service industry serve as visiting lecturers and assist with hands-on teaching in the kitchen.

Cincinnati COOKS! works with some 150 local employers who hire graduates of the training program. Graduates of Cincinnati COOKS! may attend advanced training classes that use the National Restaurant Association's Manage First curriculum. Since its inception in 2001, the program has graduates more than 400 students. The program has consistently met or exceeded the goal of graduating 70% of those who enroll and finding employment for 70% of those who graduate.

Feedback from employers of graduates provides further indication of success. For example: the employment recruiter for CA-One Services at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport writes: "I have been fortunate to employ several of your Cincinnati COOKS! graduates. I cannot tell you how impressed we all are with these individuals. They were eager to start and showed outstanding interviewing skills. They are punctual, they stay late if needed, they take initiative to do what needs to be done, and all show wonderful leadership abilities. Most importantly, they take great pride in the work they do as food and beverage associates and enjoy teaching others the proper techniques in food preparation."

More info on COOKS! Catering

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