The Philabundance Community Kitchen is an adult culinary arts vocational training program that supplies critically needed meals to agencies and area emergency kitchens serving people with food insecurity.  PCK promotes the self sufficiency of low-income women and men by preparing them to work in commercial kitchens.

In nearly 500 hours of classroom and hands-on training, students learn culinary arts—from basic knife skills to food preparation to food safety.  Students have access to professional chef and guest chef workshops, catering opportunities, mock interviews, off-site internships and National Restaurant Association ServSafe Certification.

Through a career-targeted, 14-week program, the graduate gains the experience and knowledge necessary to become employed following graduation.  PCK offers internships and job placement assistance to help graduates obtain full-time employment at a livable wage. The program also offers support through life skills preparation for problem solving and long-term life and employment success.

Upon graduation, approximately 85 percent of PCK graduates gain employment in the food service industry. The program prepares students for the practical demands of job seeking and workplace expectations.  PCK graduates have access to job placement and a variety of retention services for two full years.

In addition to job training, Philabundance Community Kitchen helps relieve the staffing and facility constraints of local emergency kitchens. Under the guidance of full-time staff, PCK students prepare heat-and-serve meals with food that has been donated to Philabundance. These meals are delivered to area emergency kitchens and homeless shelters, allowing each site the ability to plan the content and quantity of the meals they can provide. In 2006, PCK created 500,000 meals.

For more on enrollment contact sgraham@philabundance.org for information on
internships or employment opportunities contact mstevenson@philabundance.org and for general information contact Candace Matthews-Bass, Program Manager at cmatthews@philabundance.org or call 215-235-5052 extrension 128.