Culinary Job Training

At Second Helpings, we are passionate about fighting hunger and poverty. Our work goes beyond food rescue and feeding children, adults and seniors - one of our most important missions is our culinary job training program. Second Helpings' culinary job training helps unemployed and underemployed people transform their lives by learning the skills they need to be successful culinary professionals.

Each year, Second Helpings welcomes around 80 students to our culinary school. Our students learn everything from chopping mirepoix to cold-calling potential employers. After a free, intensive 10-week course, each student is prepared to launch a career in the food service field, thanks to intense day-to-day courses and a variety of lessons taught by local visiting chefs.   

Second Helpings' Culinary Job Training program is recognized as a "Program of Excellence" by the American Culinary Federation. In addition, Second Helpings' graduates receive 6 credits from the culinary program at Ivy Tech Community College, a certificate of achievement from the State of Indiana, and ServSafe Certification.

Second Helpings does everything possible in addition to culinary training – connections to financial literacy at M&I Bank, working with Dress for Success and Danny's Closet of Hope to find interview-ready attire for interviews and practice interviews to support our students. Students are assisted with job placement, follow up, and case management services from our partners at the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center. But ultimately, their successes are their own, which is exactly the point; Second Helpings seeks to empower people.

For more information about how our Culinary Job Training program is helping to break the cycle of poverty, contact tiera@secondhelpings.org or fill out our online job training application.

How to Enroll & Apply

Want to transform your career? Find out more about our culinary job training program and apply to join a class.