Life's Kitchen

Life's Kitchen offers a comprehensive 16-week training program aimed at young adults aged 16 to 20 who encounter obstacles in securing employment. The program focuses on empowering at-risk youth by fostering self-sufficiency and independence through extensive food service training and life skills development, alongside job placement and ongoing education. Participants learn to prepare for, obtain, and sustain employment while striving for financial independence. Accepted trainees attend daily from Monday to Friday for the duration of the program, typically from 8 AM to 4 PM, engaging in hands-on food service training, life skills courses, and employability workshops. They collaborate with professional chef mentors in one of three training environments: café, catering, or contract foods. Culinary training covers topics such as sanitation, kitchen organization, food safety, knife skills, customer service, and menu planning. Participants earn the Idaho Safe Food Handler certificate and gain professional certification through the National Restaurant Association's ServSafe Managers program. Life skills training includes communication, decision-making, financial literacy, and understanding community resources. Employability training encompasses resume writing, job search strategies, worker rights, and social media etiquette. Additionally, those without a high school diploma can access free GED tutoring and testing. Trainees intending to pursue culinary arts at the College of Western Idaho can earn two college credits. The program is conducted in English. For intake procedures, please call.