Cincinnati cooks!

“Feeding the Soul of the City”

“When I first visited the FreestoreFoodbank, I wasn’t motivated to improve my life. I was depressed, drinking and living in a bad neighborhood, but I didn’t want to be around drugs and negative things anymore. Cincinnati COOKS! was an opportunity to do something worthwhile. They had high expectations and gave us great training to prepare for real jobs.” - Cincinnati COOKS! graduate, now employed in a kitchen for a non profit 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 individuals for employment in the food service industry, teaching life and job skills components to ensure the graduates success. Currently operating from the Rosenthal Community Kitchen, Cincinnati COOKS! uses donated and rescued food to prepare meals and snacks, much of which is used to feed children in our Kids Café Program.

Cincinnati cooks! Catering

“Catering with a Cause”

Need a caterer that provides fresh, delicious and well-presented food while also making our community a better place?  Hire Cincinnati COOKS! Catering (CCC), and they will “blow your mind,” says Tracy Wilson, Cincinnati Opera’s Director for Community Relations.  “They are so creative – the food is always phenomenal and nicely displayed.  Our staff and donors alike always want more which is why we have used COOKS! Catering many times!”

Cincinnati COOKS! Catering provides a revenue stream to help support the Cincinnati COOKS! training program and also provides employment opportunities for many of the COOKS! graduates.

Terri Oddo, the Catering Coordinator and Chef for CCC, sets high standards for preparation and presentation as well as for her employees’ performance.  “We will compete with the best, and an added plus for customers is that they get more than great food and services, they get a unique, “feel good” experience as part of the package.”  So whether it’s breakfast for 10, a business lunch for 40 or hors d’oeuvres for 1,000, Cincinnati COOKS! Catering can meet the challenge.

Click here to view our menu

Click here to view our Dinner Buffet menu