We strive to provide quality connections and a step up for our students in their new culinary careers. By sharing their knowledge of culinary career paths, our employment partners, guest presenters and chefs have made a huge impact on the success of our students and the Chicago’s Community Kitchens program.
We are always happy to welcome new partners. If you run a culinary or hospitality business and are interested in hiring our qualified graduates, contact us. Experienced chefs are also welcome as guest instructors for Chicago’s Community Kitchens. Call us at 773-247-3663 for more information.
Our Partners in the Culinary and Hospitality Industries
Internship Sites
These businesses offer two-week internships for Chicago’s Community Kitchens students who have completed 12 weeks of training at the Food Depository. Internships enable students to demonstrate their skills to prospective employers while experiencing a professional kitchen under the mentorship of a committed partner.
- Ain’t She Sweet Café
- Arbor Restaurant
- Bad Hunter
- Boka Restaurant Group: GT Fish & Oyster, Vie, J Parker
- Brainbox Learning Academy
- Brookdale Senior Living
- Buzz Café (Oak Park)
- Carole Robertson Center for Learning
- Evelyn’s Food Love
- Farmhouse
- FIG Catering
- Gary Comer Youth Center
- Gibsons Restaurant Group: Quartino Ristorante
- Gourmet Gorilla
- Griffith Foods
- Harvest Room (Palos Heights)
- Honest Foods Catering
- Hot Chocolate Restaurant
- J&L Catering
- Mather LifeWays
- One Off Hospitality Group: The Publican, Publican Quality Meats, Big Star, Nico Osteria, Dove’s Luncheonette
- Pathways Supportive Living Facilities
- Pacific Standard Time Restaurant
- Sopraffina Marketcaffe
- South Shore Hospital
- Spoke and Bird Bake House & Café
- Taste 222
- The Duck Inn
- The Salvation Army
- Trinity Day Care
- Trattoria No. 10
- Urbanbelly
- Wheat’s End Café
Chef Mentors/Demo Product Donors
These chefs and their businesses contribute materials and professional mentorship to Chicago’s Community Kitchens. Their contributions provide students with valuable insight into the culinary field and educate on the diverse career paths that exist in the industry.
- Fortune Fish & Gourmet – Dan Kurczak
- Chef’s Warehouse – Chef Michele Glancey
- Urbanbelly – Chef Bill Kim
- Folkart Management – Chef Amy Biller
Employment Partners
These businesses employ graduates of Chicago’s Community Kitchens. Employment partners find qualified and dedicated staff through this program while supporting the mission of the Food Depository by investing in the employability of program graduates.
- Aramark at Soldier Field
- Belhaven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- Bruges Brothers Food Truck
- Chartwells at:
- DePaul University
- Elmhurst College
- St. James School
- University Center
- Community High School District 218
- Alan B. Shepard High School
- Dwight D. Eisenhower High School
- Harold L. Richards High School
- The Noble Street Network of Charter Schools
- Gary Comer College Prep
- Golder College Prep
- Instituto Health Sciences Career Academy
- Muchin College Prep
- Noble Street College Prep
- Pritzker College Prep
- Rauner College Prep
- Rowe Clark Math & Science Academy
- UIC College Prep
- Chipotle
- Eataly Chicago
- Farmer’s Fridge
- Honey Baked Ham Company
- Jewell Events Catering
- Labriola Baking Company
- Mariano’s
- Oak Lawn Respiratory & Rehabilitation Center
- Pete’s Fresh Market
- Presence Health
- St. Bernard Hospital
- The Chopping Block
- Whole Foods Market