What is the Culinary Training Program?

The Second Harvest Culinary Training Program is a 16-week continuing education opportunity offering adults facing barriers to employment with the culinary and life skills training needed to pursue a full-time sustainable career in the food industry.

Culinary FAQ

What does the Culinary Training Program do?
It’s a hands-on continuing education program where we teach people the Life Skills and Kitchen Skills needed to work in a professional kitchen. The program is made to help people gain skills for an entry-level (Prep Cook) position.

Is this a full-time or part-time program?
The program is full-time, about 27 hours a week for 16 weeks.

What are the days/hours?
Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 2:00pm every day.

How old do you have to be?
At least 18 years old.

Do I need a high school diploma or GED?
Yes, this is a requirement to apply. This requirements follows along with what our employer partners are requiring for employment.

Do I need to have a car?
While you don’t need to have a car, you will need to have reliable transportation.

What if I have a criminal background?
Backgrounds are discussed on a case-by-case basis, however there are certain charges that will exclude you. These include any violent crimes, any crime involving a child, sexual battery, or anything involving arson.

What if English is not my first language?
The program is only taught in English, so while English doesn’t need to be your first language, you do need to be able to understand, speak, read, and write in English well enough to work with classmates, follow recipes, and complete assignments.

Do I have to take a drug/alcohol test?
If a student is suspected of being under the influence, they will be required to undergo a drug or alcohol test. These are the same requirements as employers in the Culinary field.

What are the physical requirements of the program and Culinary field?
You must be able to sit, stand for 10-12 hours, bend, lift up to 50 pounds, use stairs, push, pull, and be in cold environments.

What do I get at the end of the program?
In order to graduate, you must get a full-time job in the Culinary field at a theme park, hotel, or restaurant. Owning your own business does not satisfy this requirement.
When you graduate, you get a Culinary Training Diploma, a chef coat embroidered with your name and a knife set.

How much does the program cost?
The program is free to anyone meeting program requirements. Our program is paid through grant funding and donations.

Is full-availability a requirement of the program?
Yes. While the program is Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 2:00pm for 16 weeks, employers are requiring full-availability (days, nights, weekends, holidays, etc.)

Will I get paid to come to school?
No, this is not a paid opportunity.

Can you guarantee I will get a job when I finish the program?
While the Culinary Program staff work hard to connect with quality employers in the area, we cannot guarantee you will get a job. Program staff create opportunities for students to engage with employers and then, using the skills taught in the program, students can apply for jobs, go through the interview process, and ultimately get themselves the job.

What do jobs in the Culinary field look like?
We train students specifically for entry-level (Prep Cook) positions. In Culinary, there is no skipping steps, you have to work your way to the top because of the knowledge and experience you need. We work with quality employer partners who have these opportunities for growth.
The biggest thing to remember is that the Culinary field is going to require you to have full availability (the ability to work days, nights, weekends, holidays, etc.). If you do not have this kind of availability, this field might not be right for you at the moment.

How do I enroll?

To enroll, check out this page to learn how to apply and see upcoming classes and deadlines.