New program provides adults living with disabilities experience in food, hospitality industry

MILFORD, Del.- “Growing up it’s always been baking, cooking, homemade dumplings, or homemade bread. Anything,” Rust said.

Victoria Rust says her passion for cooking led her to the Food Bank of Delaware’s new “The Kitchen School’ program.

It’s a culinary training program tailored to adults living with disabilities. “”We’re learning each other’s highs and lows, what we can and can’t do, and we all help each other out,” Rust said.

Over the course of 12 weeks, students dive into classroom work and learn a variety of recipes. Then they test out those skills in the kitchen.

The Food Bank says the goal is to give students real-world experience that will eventually land them a job. “It’s something that we take very seriously because we know how much they have to offer and how much they can contribute to a truly meaningful society,” Food Bank of Delaware President Cathy Kanefsky said.

Wednesday the community got a taste of what the young chefs have been cooking up. The program hosted a lunch buffet with everything from enchiladas to salsa all made from scratch.

Chef Instructor Shalisa Alexander praised the students’ growth and told 47ABC they’re shattering the stigma. “I don’t have to coach them to come to class. I don’t have to coach them to do the dishes. They come, they’re willing to work, and then they put in that work,” Alexander said.

On top of gaining a new set of friends, Victoria has also given herself a new title. “Yes, I’m completely a chef,” Rust said.

Once students complete the program, they take a final exam. If they pass, they walk away with a ServSafe certificate.

The program is funded by the Delaware Workforce Development Board and the Department of Labor in partnership with the Delaware Restaurant Association.

This the first class at the Food Bank’s Milford location and they tell us they plan on having 6 to 7 cohorts a year.

To find out more information click here