Chicago's Community Kitchens
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Since its inception in 1998, Chicago’s Community Kitchens has been aiding unemployed and underemployed adults in Cook County who have a passion for "life in the kitchen" and a will to achieve entry-level employment in the foodservice industry. Students create nearly 2,000 meals a day that are delivered to Food Depository Kids Cafes, providing nourishing meals to hungry children after school.
Program Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the program applicants must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be unemployed or underemployed
- Demonstrate a real and continuing interest in developing a career in the foodservice industry
- Have a minimum sixth-grade proficiency in math and reading
- Be drug free and able to pass a drug test—applicants need to be clean for at least three months prior to application
General Program Information
Chicago’s Community Kitchens foodservice program includes:
- Hands-on food preparation
- Kitchen demonstrations
- Classroom culinary instruction
- Nutrition basics
- Employment and life skills classes
- ServSafe® city and state foodservice sanitation course
- Two-week offsite internship in a commercial kitchen
Program Details
- Chicago’s Community Kitchens program is free of charge to all participants
- This 14-week training program meets Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- The application and screening process is conducted on a monthly basis
- Students are not paid for their participation in the program
- Chicago’s Community Kitchens training program is taught in English
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Find out what it's like to be a student in Chicago's Community Kitchens |
Applying to the Program
There are two ways to request more detailed applications information:
- Submit a request online.
- Contact our community recruiter at 773-843-5414.
Supporting Chicago's Community Kitchens
If you or your organization is interested in providing a financial donation to support Chicago's Community Kitchens, call Individual Giving at 773-247-FOOD (3663). If your company is interested in making a food donation to Chicago's Community Kitchens or the Food Depository's Food Rescue program, call Food Resources at 773-843-5418.
Guests of Chicago's Community Kitchens
Guest presenters and chefs have made an important impact on our students. Individuals who share their knowledge of culinary career paths to aid our students with their advancement are contributers to the success of our program.
Our guests have included a wide array of talented individuals and presenters from Dominick's Catering, the Shedd Aquarium, Chef Michel Coatrieux of Kendall College, Chef Maggie Roeder of Maggie Roeder Cakes and countless others.
Internship Possibilities
As a part of Chicago's Community Kitchens, you could have the opportunity to intern at one of the following establishments:
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