YW Culinary Program

YW Culinary is a free 12-week, paid job training program, presented in partnership with Howard Area Community Center, designed to prepare students for success in Chicagoland’s vibrant food service industry. The program is available to traditionally underrepresented or vulnerable populations, such as women of color, survivors of domestic violence, and low-wage workers.

The training is welcoming to those without a high school diploma or GED and individuals who are 18 years of age or older who are interested in a sustainable career in the food service industry.

YW Culinary Students:

Develop culinary and food service skills
Earn a paid stipend while learning
Receive hands-on experience preparing bulk meals for YWCA’s Mary Lou’s Place domestic violence shelter
Develop employment skills such as communication skills, interview practice, and resume writing
Earn a ServSafe Food Handler and Manager’s Certificate
Have access to YWCA financial education resources and workshops like Basic Money Management
Gain industry knowledge and learn from guest chefs
Receive job placement and retention assistance

After completing 8 weeks of the YW Culinary program, students participate in a 4-week internship in the YWCA kitchen, where interns will:

Take the lead in meal planning
Have hands-on experience preparing evening meal for our shelter

Questions? Contact Emily McDonald at (847) 864-8445×2126 or emcdonald@ywca-ens.org

Upcoming Virtual Informational Sessions:

Monday 3/6: 10:30-11:30 am (in person at YWCA)

Upcoming Cohort

Spring 2023 Cohort Dates:
April 10 – June 30

Class Schedule

Mondays 10 am to 12 pm
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10 am to 4 pm

Click here to learn more about the program

Program overview

Curriculum Snapshot

In this program you will learn:

Culinary Skills

Develop knife skills and cooking techniques.
Prepare recipes and menus.
Connect and cook alongside classmates
Earn your ServSafe Food Handler’s Certification.

Employability/Soft Skills

Career Development – Create an individualized career development plan while enhancing your skills in communication, interviewing and networking.
Industry Knowledge – Gain industry knowledge by connecting with local employers, industry experts and business owners.
Empowerment – Learn about workers’ rights, wage negotiation and tools you can use to feel empowered while reaching your employment goals.

“Even though we are not in a traditional setting, being in the class keeps me hopeful. Because I still feel like I’m working on my future.” – YW Culinary participant

Are you eligible?

YW Culinary is available to traditionally underrepresented or vulnerable populations, such as women of color, survivors of domestic violence, and low-wage workers.

The training is welcoming to those without a high school diploma or GED and individuals who are 18 years of age or older who are interested in a sustainable career in the food service industry.

YW Culinary will prioritize the following candidates for enrollment:

those who are interested in a food service career
Chicagoland area residents
those who have not completed a bachelor’s degree
those who have received a referral through a partner agency

All students must be fully vaccinated against COVID 19 and show proof of vaccination.

Partner with us

There are a variety of ways to partner with us virtually:

Hire YW Culinary graduates
Share your expertise as a Guest Chef
Participate on employer panel discussions
Participate in mock interviews
Give a virtual tour of your commercial kitchen

Are you an employer looking for qualified culinary staff? Partner with us to connect with candidates with a ServSafe Food Handler certificate who are professional and have a proven commitment to working in the food service industry.

Previous YW Culinary partners include:

Mather
District 65
District 202
Whole Foods
General Mills
Ace Hotel – Chicago
Yo Fresh Yogurt
Whole & Free Foods, LLC – Every Body Eat
Main-Dempster Mile

Contact Kristin Drake for more information.

Why should you sign up for YWCulinary?

“YW Culinary has been the best thing that has happened to me. "

2019 Graduate

Why food service?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment of food service managers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. With an increase in competition for workers, food service wages have climbed between 6% and 10% for many restaurants.

Employees in the food service industry can work in a variety of settings from large industrial kitchens to small bakeries. This field provides flexible hours to accommodate child and family care. There’s no shortage of restaurants, you can move anywhere and find work!

What could my career path look like in food service?

Most entry level food service workers start as cooks. However, there are many possibilities for advancement, both in a restaurant and in the food service industry. These include:

Food service manager/shift lead: median yearly salary $50,000
Chef: median yearly salary $56,000
Restaurant general manager: median yearly salary $59,000
Hospitality manager: median yearly salary $63,000

Click here to read more about possibilities in food service!

How does the YW Culinary program align with YWCA’s mission?

YW Culinary aligns with the mission of YWCA by empowering students to achieve their career goals. Additionally, just as racism is prevalent is all aspects of society, it also impacts the food industry. Over 75% of restaurant managers are white. YW Culinary supports BIPOC students by giving them the resources and training they need to advance in the food industry.

Are you an employer looking for qualified culinary staff?

YWCA’s culinary training program is your solution. Partner with us to connect with candidates with a ServSafe Food Handler certificate who are professional and have a proven commitment to working in the food service industry.

Contact Juan Fuentes for more information.