Oliver's Kitchen

The Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation's Oliver's Kitchen program trains the economically disadvantaged, welfare-to-work participants, the underemployed and unemployed for lifetime careers in the food service industry. The course teaches [saute]students how to prepare and present complete meals, from appetizer to dessert. In addition, the chef instructor lectures on subjects including nutrition, weights and measures and buying provisions for restaurants.

On Thursdays, class is led by guest chefs from some of Chicago's most prominent restaurant. Previous guests include chefs from The Signature Room at the 95th, the Ritz-Carlton, Charlie Trotter's and the Four Seasons, to name only a few. Visiting chefs share their recipes with students while demonstrating their personal cooking techniques.

Upon graduation, Oliver's Kitchen graduates seek full-time jobs in the food service industry with help from the Employment Liaison. Because employment is the ultimate goal of Oliver's Kitchen, students can use CAHF's resources for up to two years after graduation.

The 12-week course, which is accredited by the Illinois State Board of Education and the International Association of Continued Education and Training, is held every three months at CAHF headquarters on 4345 W. Division Street, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Potential students can call the Program Director, Case Manager, for course information.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The strength of Oliver's Kitchen innovative program lies in its ability to link employment skills and placement with supportive services and housing through partnerships. Oliver's Kitchen joins forces with the food service industry, government and social service providers to accomplish mutually beneficial goals through education and training.

Important facts about Oliver's Kitchen:

  • Oliver's Kitchen teaches basic food preparation techniques according to food industry standards, job search and retention skills, food service sanitation certification and basic nutrition. After finishing classroom work, each student works with the Oliver's Kitchen employment liaison to find a job.
  • Oliver's Kitchen provides the most up-to-date information in the culinary field by presenting guest chefs to the classroom every week. The chefs, who come from work in some of Chicago's most prominent restaurants, volunteer their time to teach their specialty dish during one class period.
  • Oliver's Kitchen creates a viable avenue for moving individuals from dependence on social services to sustained employment.
  • Oliver's Kitchen gives social service agencies the opportunity to provide education and job training to their clients through CAHF's Training Institute.
  • Through Oliver's Kitchen classes, service providers can give the food-service industry and the not-for-profit sector a well-trained and employment-ready labor pool.

The course teaches students:

  • principles of safe food handling and sanitation
  • kitchen safety
  • basic nutrition
  • group effectiveness
  • use and care of kitchen equipment, hand tools and utensils
  • recipe use; reduction and extension; basic weights and measures
  • basic food preparation
  • seasonings, flavorings
  • vegetables/fruit preparation
  • baking basics
  • menu planning
  • pantry/cold food skills
  • breakfast cookery

Course teaching tools:

  • hands-on kitchen work
  • lectures
  • video reinforcement
  • interactive classroom activities
  • homework assignments
  • demonstrations
  • Lifeskills classes
  • Interactive ‘Successful Interviewing’ classes

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