Culinary Employment Pathways
Date and time is TBD
|First Presbyterian Church of Oakland
Turn your passion for food into a career! 🌱👩🏾🍳 Gain hands-on culinary skills, explore local flavors, and build your future through paid internships and professional training with CEP.
Time & Location
Date and time is TBD
First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
Details
WINTER 2027 Applications Open January 2027! 😎🌴
The Culinary Employment Pathways training program gives you the skills, experience, and support to launch your culinary career. From hands-on cooking and professional training to food access and holistic support, here’s what you’ll gain:
🍅 Food Access & Education
Food business tours: Old Oakland Farmers’ Market, Oaktown Spice Shop, Popoca
Access to fresh food to take home
Guidance on accessing fresh, local, and sustainable food, including budgeting strategies, whole-ingredient use, and practical cooking skills
🪷Holistic Development
Wellness education for personal growth
Worker rights training
Tools for personal wellbeing and resilience
👩🏾🍳Professional Development
Hands-on cooking & culinary skills
Food Handlers Certification
Resume building & interview support
Professional communication & workplace readiness
Paid internship
Program Structure:
Training: 5 weeks | 12 hours/week | Mon – Thu, 1–4 PM
Internship: 8 weeks | Up to 24 hours/week | Paid at $21/hour
Participants are placed at local food businesses with schedules tailored to their interests, transportation, and learning goals. Ongoing support is provided throughout the internship.
Cohort size: 8-12 participants
Who Should Apply:
Adults 22+ with an interest or passion for food
Unemployed or working part-time and seeking full-time employment
Able to commit to the full program schedule
Individuals navigating systemic barriers to employment, including those who were formerly incarcerated
Due to program capacity and design, priority enrollment is given to Oakland residents. Applicants from outside Oakland may still be considered based on available space and program eligibility.
Upcoming Dates 2027:
Check back in 2027!
Questions?
Please contact Natasha Nazer - natasha@mandelapartners.org