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Delgado Community College offers a two-year associate degree program in Culinary Arts that prepares its graduates for an exciting career in the food service industry. Students attend classes while gaining valuable work experience at some of the finest dining establishments in the Greater New Orleans area. This is an excellent opportunity to:

• Receive professional training in one of the most rapidly growing fields in the country.
• Receive funds to assist with tuition costs, books, and fees for the following courses: Basic Food Preparation, Food Safety and Sanitation, Nutrition for the Culinary Professional, Food and Beverage Purchasing, Cost Control, and Dessert Preparation.
• Receive certifications by the National Restaurant Association.
• Receive job placement assistance to work at some of the finest restaurants in the Greater New Orleans area.

Grant funds are available to individuals who meet admission requirements for Delgado Community College’s Culinary Arts Program, as well as qualify under federal and state guidelines.

Reconcile New Orleans’ St. Regis Hospitality Program provides youth workforce training in the culinary and hospitality industries for students between the ages of 16 - 21. On-the-job training is provided at Cafe Reconcile, a working non-profit restaurant located in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans. GED prep and tutoring, life skills training, social service referrals and job placement assistance are offered. Prospective students do not need a high school diploma, nor do they need to be currently enrolled in school to participate in the St. Regis Hospitality Program. Grant participants must complete the Level I training to qualify for the St. Regis Hospitality Level II Program. The Level II program includes customer service training and the ServSafe curriculum, an industry-recognized program that can increase your range of employment options.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation (LRAEF) offers training and certification through the ProStart® program, a two-year food service curriculum that introduces students to the hospitality industry while providing them with necessary skills for certification and job placement. ProStart® is available in select high schools throughout Louisiana.
LRAEF also provides ServSafe® and LA BEST© classes for industry professionals. In 2008, LRAEF will begin providing classes in ManageFirst®, a proprietary post-secondary management certificate program through the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. Additionally, through a partnership with Delgado Community College and the Jefferson Parish School System, LRAEF will be offering industry training courses at Grace King and John Ehret High Schools.

Nunez Community College Culinary Arts offers hands-on courses to prepare students for immediate employment after completing a 10-week training program in one of three areas: basic food preparation, baking and garde manger. Students who meet the college’s entrance requirements may also apply credits earned toward an associate degree in Nunez’s culinary program.

As a partner in the Culinary Arts Grant program, Louisiana Business Leadership Network (LBLN) is helping to recruit and increase training and employment options for individuals with disabilities who want to pursue a career in the food service industry. LBLN offers technical assistance and support to food service training providers so that students with disabilities are able to participate and can be ensured of receiving the accommodations and services they need in order to successfully complete training programs and become employed. LBLN provides information and links to incentives for businesses that hire people with disabilities, and follows up with students after they have been accepted into the program to assist them with accessing resources they need during training and on the job.

Anyone, regardless of educational background, may apply.  For information about selecting a training site and to learn about requirements for participation contact Bob Taranto at the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, 504-835-3880 X 20