The goal of the Culinary Arts Department is to prepare individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment to work in a variety of roles in the food service industry. In addition, our Culinary Arts team provides additional education on nutrition, cooking at home, and making healthy choices to increase independence. Employment Horizons has two Culinary Arts programs that cater to a wide range of needs and goals.
Culinary Arts Training Program
Our Culinary Arts Training Program is aimed at breaking employment barriers for adults with disabilities. This 10-week program is designed to provide participants with the education, resources, and confidence needed to obtain successful employment in various food service roles. The program teaches culinary fundamentals such as kitchen safety, knife skills, food safety, and sanitation. A few of the skills that are taught are baking basics, hot and cold food production, while recipe reading, product identification, industry storage standards, and cash register use with customer service skills. There is also a strong focus on commercial kitchen tools and equipment.
An opportunity for a Serv Safe Food Handler Certificate will be provided. This program is available to individuals referred by DVRS or to those who wish to privately pay.
Agency-Based Culinary Arts Training Program
This training program is available to participants in our agency- based program. Participants are able to learn about kitchen equipment, sanitation, safety, food preparation and storage, and customer service in Café Horizons, our in-house cafeteria. Participants prepare items for break and lunch each day and also prepare food for catering orders. Job sampling and job search assistance is available for those that would like to work in a community-based food service setting.
Training Programs Success Story
How do I get started?
Contact your local DVR office to register and request a referral to Employment Horizons’ Culinary Arts Program. Once you are referred to Employment Horizons, one of our experienced staff will contact you to set up a meeting and begin the registration process.
2Request a Referral
Questions?
Contact Kaylee Wickersham, Culinary Arts Manager at 973.538.8822 x239 or kwickersham@ehorizons.org.