Culinary Arts Training / Work Placement

SCI, in partnership with the ARTC (Addiction Research & Treatment Corporation), created this program to respond to the number one thing people who are homeless want – a job. Through a state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Facility and its equipment, we will provide clients with hands-on training on professional kitchen management and cooking skills. First, we teach students cooking essentials: ingredient identification, knife skills, meal preparation, food handling, and restaurant cooking skills. Then, we train them on how to purchase, conduct inventory, manage personnel, schedule meals, and develop menus for a professional kitchen. Once these basic skills are taught, students have many opportunities to cook for fellow program residents and the public within the Culinary Arts Facility cafeteria. Here the Negotiating Life™ program focuses on the issues and challenges of learning new skills and working with new people, as well as finding and maintaining employment.

Besides the benefit to the community of low cost quality meals on demand, the CAA program fills the void of the food service industry for qualified cooks. The program gives students the opportunity to learn a vocation that will provide them an income to support themselves and their families, lessening the burden for public assistance and increasing their self-worth.

After 14 weeks of training and practice, students will graduate with the confidence needed to pursue a career in the culinary arts. They will also receive assistance in finding work and support services as they begin their new careers.

Currently, the Culinary Arts Program provides food services to SCI New Haven men’s shelter as well as some ARTC programs. By the fall, they will also take over food services at the St. Martin women’s shelter.