Job Training

Culinary Training Program

With many in Central Florida struggling to make ends meet, our community needs to expand access to economic opportunities and stable jobs.  

 

To support the development of talent for one of our region’s largest industries, Pathlight HOME created a FREE 8-week Culinary Training Program for low-income Central Florida adults. This is a job training program for homeless and formerly homeless individuals and low-income individuals as well. (Applicants do not need to be residents of Pathlight HOME.)

Marketable Skills for Low-Income Central Floridians 

Now in its eighth year, the program includes hands-on cooking classes, classroom instruction, field trips, individual coaching, a Food Handler Certification and much more.  

 

Each class has a limited number of students to keep instruction individualized and personal. Students learn from our Executive Chefs, Chef Esteban and Chef Jose, in our modern 13,000 square foot Pathlight Kitchen building, renovated in 2013 through a partnership with Orange County Government.  

Testimonials 

“We got more than a plateful. Chef Esteban taught us the proper way to de-bone a chicken, filet a fish, what ingredients to put in first. And he wasn’t just a talker. He was hands-on. You go on field trips so you’ll have an understanding of what we’ll be doing before we get into the kitchen. It was a great course. Not to mention that all this was free.” 
- Rosa, Culinary Student  

Students Will Learn:

  • Meal preparation and presentation 
  • Kitchen safety and sanitation 
  • Cooking methods and techniques  
  • Kitchen and restaurant dynamics
  • Culinary math 
  • Marinades 
  • Knife Skills 
  • Food freshness 
  • International cooking 

 

 

 

Application Process

Download our application and drop it off at the Resource Center located at:

3200 Colonial W. Drive

Orlando, FL

Or submit the application below. 

Download Application

Benefits

  • Courses held in a modern facility including three professional-grade kitchens, and a test/classroom kitchen for students to practice. 
  • Students learn life skills needed in the workplace.  
  • Students go on instructional field trips and visit local catering, restaurant and culinary businesses.  
  • Students work with the Pathlight HOME Resource Center for assistance with their resumes, cover letters and job placement. 
  • Students gain real-world experience by assisting at our Sobik’s Subs location 
  • Students graduate with multiple certifications including: ServSafe Food Handlers, Allergen and AHLA Guest Service Gold/Kitchen Cook

 

2023 Class Schedule 

  • February 27th - April 20th 
  • April 24th - June 15th 
  • June 19th - August 10th 
  • August 14th - October 5th 
  • October 10th - December 7th 

We offer a morning and afternoon class. Culinary Program classes are Monday-Thursday 9am-1pm & 1:30-5pm 

Culinary Training Program

  • Max. file size: 256 MB.

Questions?

If you have questions or need assistance filling out the form, please contact etorres@pathlighthome.org.

Funded in part by the Jacques Pepin Foundation