TAFB Announces FREE Culinary Training for Aspiring Chefs

Tarrant Area Food Bank (TAFB) is offering aspiring chefs the opportunity to attend a free 14-week culinary training program followed by a two-week internship at a local restaurant. Interested participants are required to attend one of two information sessions:

• Monday, November 20 beginning at 1 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 21 beginning at 9 a.m.

Throughout the course, students will train under the tutelage of Manuel Vasquez, TAFBs experienced executive chef trained at the Art Institute of Atlanta. 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 Barbara Higbee (Ms. B.), program manager, TAFB Community Kitchen. “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, Chef Grady Spears with Horseshoe Hill Cowboy Cafe and 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 Higbee. “In fact, we welcome folks with little formal training but with a ton of passion in the kitchen.”

Higbee 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.”
Click here for more information on attending an information session.

TARRANT AREA FOOD BANK (TAFB), based in Fort Worth, holds the belief that all people deserve regular, nutritious meals. TAFB works to empower communities to eliminate hunger by providing food, education and resources through innovation and collaboration. Through a network of 270 Partner Agencies, TAFB serves 13-counties in North Texas. Learn more at tafb.org and on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.