What's cooking, Brownsville? Soon, it may be you!
The Brownsville Community Culinary Center, a nonprofit work development program, is recruiting for its next cohort of culinary professionals.
Founded in 2017 by Michelin-starred Danish Chef Claus Meyer, the center runs a culinary training program for Brownsville residents ages 18-34 and consists of a professional kitchen, bakery and a sit-down eatery that serves healthy food options that are also affordable. Since the BCCC opened its doors, it has trained dozens of local residents to become chefs, while also providing the community with its first sit-down restaurant in 50 years.
The 40-week training program includes classroom instruction, hands-on experience working at BCCC's eatery and bakery, as well as externship opportunities with food-service partners. The center is part of Meyer's Melting Pot Foundation, an initiative he first launched in Denmark to train formerly incarcerated individuals in the culinary arts.
BCCC's next cohort will begin training on Monday, February 11.
Participants receive stipends of $11/hour after the initial one-week orientation. The program kicks off with ten weeks of intensive, classroom-based and hands-on training, followed by a 20-week-long in-house apprenticeship during which participants operate the on-site eatery, café and bakery under the guidance of seasoned professionals. The program concludes with a ten-week externship at various food-service establishments across the city.
Additionally, all participants will be required to conduct a one-week community project to address a public health issue in Brownsville and take part in workshops throughout the course of the program that will provide them with financial literacy, personal budgeting time management and job-readiness skills.
Interested Brownsville residents can attend any of the following information sessions:
- Tuesday, January 15, 4:00pm
- Wednesday, January 16, 4:00pm
- Thursday, January 17, 12:00pm
- Friday, January 18, 12:00pm
- Tuesday, January 22, 4:00pm
- Wednesday, January 23, 4:00pm
- Thursday, January 24, 12:00pm
- Friday, January 25, 12:00pm
Applicants should bring a pen to apply in person, take a tour and learn about the specific requirements of the program. Additional paperwork will be collected from those who move on to round two. All information sessions are held at the Brownsville Community Culinary Center at 69 Belmont Avenue.
For more information, go here.
