On Monday evening, October 13, End Hunger In Calvert County graduated its fourth Culinary Training Program class and celebrated the one-year anniversary of the program.
Since its launch in 2013, the End Hunger Culinary Training Program has graduated over sixty students. While prior to enrolling in the program the majority of its students were unemployed. Now 70% of graduates are working in restaurants across the state, some with benefits.
“End Hunger In Calvert County is about more than providing food – it’s helping people attain productive lives,” says Rev. Robert P. Hahn CEO of End Hunger In Calvert County. “That’s what we’re striving for – the changed life. Bernie Fowler, Jr. and Farming4Hunger are following that model as well. It’s more than produce – they’re working with those inmates to change lives.”
President of the Board of County Commissioners, the Honorable Patrick Nutter, was the evening’s keynote speaker. In his remarks he challenged graduates to decide that this was “the moment in your life when things would change. Take this opportunity and training you have been given to make your life different.”
“The End Hunger Culinary Training Program changed my life,” says Renee Moss graduate of Monday evening’s class. “But more importantly, it will change the course of my family’s future for generations to come. Poverty will no longer be part of our story.”
The Calvert County restaurant community has begun adopting the End Hunger Culinary Training Program as a resource for qualified kitchen staff. They not only provide internship opportunities for students that give them hands-on-kitchen experience, but local restaurant’s head chefs are also guest teachers for the program, often teaching a certain technique or how to prepare a signature dish.
The End Hunger Culinary Training Program is a FREE nine-week program that runs four times a year. The program’s funders, PNC Bank and The Weinberg Foundation completely underwrite all costs associated with tuition, uniforms, and books needed for each student. Graduates of the program receive ServSafe National Restaurant Association Certification and their own set of knives. The next class begins October 20, 2014.
At the time of press, the following establishments are partners of the End Hunger Culinary Training Program: Anne Arundel Medical Center, Asbury Solomons, Blondies, Countryside Grille and Deli, Dreamweavers, Filomenas, The Greene Turtle Herrington Harbor/ Honey’s Harvest, Jerry’s Seafood, JT’s Kitchen, Maryland Country Caterers, Nick’s of Calvert, No Thyme to Cook, Outback Steakhouse, Patrice and Associates, Rod n’ Reel, Smoky Joes, Solomon’s Pearl, South County Café, and Sweet Sue’s.
For more information about to program or to apply, visit their website at endhugnercalvert.org or email Mary LaBorie and mlaborie@old.endhungercalvert.org.