The Food Bank of Delaware is currently accepting applications for its fall culinary training.
The training lasts 14 weeks and includes things like advanced cooking techniques and food safety handling skills.
Kim Turner, with the food bank, said the training concludes with a two-week paid internship.
“And that gives them on-the-job training. And a lot of times the internship helps the student land an employment with that restaurant or with a food service company,” she said.
Turner said the point of the training is to give people job skills so they’re no longer reliant on the food bank.
“Through the culinary school we’re able to give people job skills that prepare them for jobs in the foodservice industry. And then we help place them in jobs that pay a sustainable wage so they no longer have to rely on our services,” she said.
Since 2002, the food bank’s culinary training has graduated more than 550 students. Most of them were able to find work afterwards.
You don’t need a cooking background to attend, and people from all backgrounds are welcome.
The class costs $5,700 but Turner says most students are eligible for funding assistance through the Delaware Department of Labor or through corporate sponsors.
Classes begin September 25 in Newark and Milford. Turner advises anyone interested to apply as soon as possible.
For more information or to apply, visit www.fbd.org/the-culinary-school or contact Jessica Neal (New Castle County) at (302) 292-1305 ext 265 or jneal@fbd.org or Ruthann Messick (Kent and Sussex Counties) at (302) 424-3301 ext 107 or rmessick@fbd.org.
