GrowGood Culinary academy
Dish prepared by culinary student in Shelter's kitchen for Thursday night "Family Dinner." (photo cred: Karen Emmert)
In August 2017, GrowGood and The Salvation Army partnered to launch a culinary program to provide culinary education, workplace training, and job placement to residents living at the Shelter.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 10% growth in food and beverage service jobs through 2024, creating opportunities for shelter residents to move toward independence and dignity.
The 12-week course gives students a complete seed-to-table hands-on training of food and cooking. Students enter the job market uniquely experienced in the process of planting seeds and growing produce, to plating a finished dish for service in addition to standard kitchen skills and required safety certifications.
Culinary Arts students during a kitchen lesson.
The classes, which are held Monday - Thursday with approximately 8 hrs per day of classroom instruction, are taught by experienced chefs.
The classes are held in the Shelter’s kitchen as well as at the farm. The culinary students utilize produce grown at the farm in meals served to shelter residents. The Shelter's kitchen serves approximately 6,000 meals per week.
Sautéing farm fresh Purplette onions.
Students are instructed on proper cooking techniques.
"GrowGood cultivates Mother Earth. Nurtures people, enhances
people.
I landed a great job thanks to the GrowGood Culinary Academy! Special thanks to Eric and April!"
- Carl M.
We are especially thankful for the support of our great friends at The Cheesecake Factory who have donated equipment, cook books, spices, and chefs uniforms for our students! Their support has been instrumental to the success of the program!
May 2, 2018: Kix Nystrom and his Cheesecake Factory executive kitchen staff working along side GrowGood culinary students preparing lunch for shelter residents. Many of the dishes served that day utilized produce from the farm, including our onions pictured above.