In December, Inter-Faith Food Shuttle celebrated the first graduating class of our Culinary Apprenticeship Program (CAP) since 2019, and an inspiring speech by one of the graduates illustrates the deep impact the program can have on the lives of participants.
“It’s been a journey,” said graduate Elton Ivory, sharing about how the program had been instrumental in his addiction recovery and had helped him turn his lifelong love of cooking into a career path. “There have been times when I just wanted to give up on life. There have been times when I did not want anything to do with living anymore because I did not understand purpose and destiny, but today I do. I want to thank you all, it’s been amazing. I’m able to dream and have big ideas again.”
The CAP program combines professional development and mentorship with hands-on training to help unemployed or under-employed neighbors find careers in the vibrant local culinary industry. CAP was unfortunately suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is now back in action under the leadership of Culinary and Catering Director, Mike Moore.
Emergency food assistance is vitally needed to address hunger every day in our communities. Programs like CAP are designed to provide tools, skills, and education participants may use to access stable employment opportunities and a living wage, addressing conditions that put many at risk of hunger in the first place.
The graduates of this 12-week program studied kitchen science, sanitation, food safety, and world cuisine in a classroom environment. They then proceeded to practical kitchen training where they learned skills such as pasta and bread-making, baking and pastry arts, and menu development. The graduates were able to gain real-life catering experience through Horizons Catering and participation in local food competitions.
“This was an excellent class and terrific CAP semester as we extended our best efforts to re-launch this great program since COVID-19. Our students truly excelled, and I have connected through friendship and mentorship with all of them,” shares Mike Moore. “I truly loved this experience. Education and workforce development is paramount to an intelligent and constructive society.”
At the CAP Graduation, graduates Elton Ivory, Shantane Pierce, Kiara Garner, and Eric Fucoloro (posthumously) were awarded their completion certificates and celebrated their accomplishments with family, friends, sponsors, and Food Shuttle staff and board members.
We are so proud of each of the CAP graduates for their accomplishment in graduating from this program, and excited about their future career opportunities in the culinary industry. We are also excited about the potential of this program to change the lives of more neighbors like Elton, giving them the opportunity to dream and build a life of self-sufficiency.