A CUSTOMIZED CULINARY TRAINING FOR NEWLY ARRIVED NEW YORKERS TO PREPARE FOR WORK IN NYC’S FOOD INDUSTRY.
This new program provides hands-on instruction on basic culinary and baking techniques, food safety, and other kitchen fundamentals, specially tailored to the needs of newly arrived, Spanish-speaking New Yorkers with Temporary Protected Status or migrants who are authorized to work. Instruction will be provided in English and Spanish by bilingual instructors and support staff.
Ready to get started?
Our culinary training program includes:
- Fundamental skills training emphasizing cooking techniques, basic baking and pastry production, and knife skills
- Professional skills including kitchen culture and career preparation
- Training for the NYC Food Protection Exam
- Intensive English language support
- Stipend of $160/week for 5 weeks
- Daily MetroCards to get to training
Members who complete our culinary fundamentals programs are placed in high-quality entry level jobs in the food industry in food service (Restaurant Associates), cafes (Breads Bakery), grocery stores (Eataly), and restaurants (Union Square Hospitality Group) and more. Most of these food jobs have access to benefits and set schedules and the average starting wage is $18.38/hour.
| Best For | Recipients of Temporary Protected Status or recent migrants with work authorization who are ready to take steps toward a job in the food industry |
| Class Size | 20—25 |
| Time Commitment | 6 weeks of culinary training 1:45 – 4:45 pm: English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) 5 pm – 8 pm: Culinary Instruction |
| Where | Hot Bread Kitchen at Manny Cantor Center 197 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002 |
| When | Early 2025 |
Complete a brief application indicating your interest in this program and a staff member will be in touch with next steps, including an interview process. Our helpful bilingual staff will walk you through every step!
Confidence in and out of the Kitchen
“When you are feeling like you don’t know what to do, Hot Bread Kitchen gives you the opportunity to find something for you, to find jobs and to get the skills to get those jobs… But most importantly, Hot Bread Kitchen is for everyone to get a good life.”
—Carolina, Hot Bread Kitchen member
Partners
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for this program?
What can we expect to learn?
During the 5 weeks of training, you’ll learn knife skills, kitchen fundamentals, cooking techniques, bakery production, basic safety and sanitation, and personal and professional skills to get you ready for a job in the food industry, alongside English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
If I am accepted, what are the requirements?
- Have an interest in cooking and the intention to work in the food industry
- Commit to attending training every day
- Show up on time
- Have an open and flexible schedule for the duration of the program (and flexibility in your schedule for job placement)
- Be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or valid exemption
What support services are available?
Hot Bread Kitchen offers all members support services for members’ needs outside the workplace. We know that a successful career requires a stable home, transportation, childcare and more. Our 1:1 coaching sessions offer guidance and referrals to our vast network of community partners.
Hot Bread Kitchen’s job placement team works with members and our network of employers and supports members through the job application process. Members will also participate in “mock interviews” to practice interviewing skills.
Does Hot Bread Kitchen require COVID-19 Vaccination?
Hot Bread Kitchen requires participants in all in-person programs to be vaccinated or have a valid exemption.
What is the interview process like?
- First, you will fill out a short application
- Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an interview process, which will include a kitchen interview as one-on-one interviews (no culinary experience is required!)
- Applicants will be notified via text message if they are selected for the program
What types of jobs will the programs prepare me for?
Entry-level roles in the food industry including prep cook, food service worker, pastry assistant, and entry-level baker.
How soon can I expect to start a job?
Most people who complete the program start a job within one month. It depends on your schedule and availability, as well as employer onboarding process and timeline. We’ll walk you through it all!
