Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) is offering aspiring chefs the opportunity to turn their passion into a purpose by enrolling in a free 14-week culinary training program followed by a two-week internship at a local restaurant. Interested participants should reach out to Community Kitchen Program Manager Barbara Higbee, better known as “Ms. B”, by calling 817.857.7144 or by emailing ms.b@tafb.org by Friday, August 3, 2018. The course will begin on August 27 and concludes on December 15, 2018.
Participants will train under the direction of Executive Chef Manuel Vasquez who is currently featured on Plates with a Purpose, a new YouTube cooking show produced by Tarrant Area Food Bank.
On top of learning how to prepare a variety of menu items including sushi, perfectly cooked steaks, poultry items and baked goods, students will also support the mission of TAFB by producing some 2,000 ready-to-eat meals that get distributed to hungry people in the community each week. Production Chef Dedrich Flint, a graduate of TAFBs culinary program himself, will develop the recipes and instruct the students on how to prepare and package the food for distribution.
“This program is offered for free, but what students learn is priceless,” said “Ms. B”. “They not only learn from our talented chefs, but also from a number of local chefs who stop by almost every week to train them on a culinary skill.”
Chef Jon Bonnell of Waters, Chef Keith “Buttons” Hicks of Buttons Restaurants and Chef Pit Master Billy Woodrich of Billy’s Oak Acres BBQ are just a few of the chefs that are often found in the TAFB kitchen.
“We’re not looking for expert chefs for this program,” said “Ms. B”. “In fact, we welcome folks with little formal training but with a ton of passion in the kitchen.”
She goes on to say that students will also leave the program with new life skills. “We work with partners like Tarrant County Credit Union, Women’s Center of Tarrant County and others to help our students learn how to craft resumes that land jobs, how to interview like a pro, workplace behavior skills, how to manage a budget and so much more. It’s a well-rounded experience.”
For more information contact “Ms. B” at 817.857.7144 or email ms.b@tafb.org by August 3, 2018.
