GO Kitchen-Ready is a kitchen-training program that will prepare graduates for employment in food service.   Classes will cover basic food service and technical skills including culinary, baking, food safety and sanitation, food vocabulary and kitchen math.  A portion of the class will be devoted to life skill training, covering nutrition, resume writing, interviewing, job search, job retention skills and managing personal finances.  The use of local food products is a key component of the training.

Graduation will provide students with “kitchen-ready” skills, including a SERV-SAFE certification and a mentoring program supported by Asheville area restaurants. GO, in partnership with the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR), Goodwill Industries, and the Asheville City Schools Foundation, will provide job placement support.

The Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) funded the initiative that led to Green Opportunities adoption of the program.

First classes begin Spring 2012 on the campus of William Randolph School.  The program will run Monday through Thursday.  There will be 192 hours of hands-on kitchen instruction and 96 hours of classroom instruction over a twelve-week period.  In the first year, 2 twelve-week sessions will be conducted. Class will be limited to 15 students.  Costs for participating in the program will be covered for qualified applicants.

GO Kitchen-Ready will use the training to produce ready-to-eat meals for distribution through MANNA Food Bank and before and/or after school meals at William Randolph School.  This will provide valuable production experience to the students.

For more information contact Mark Rosenstein at Green Opportunities.  828-398-4158.  mark@greenopportunities.org