Miss-Delectable
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http://www.wbir.com/life/programming/local/liveatfive/story.aspx?storyid=48527&provider=gnews
Unlike most professional kitchens, the cooking facility at Calvary Baptist Church is not chaotic or crazed in the mornings. It is quiet. And, for good reason. The chefs manning the cuisine are students at the Tennessee School for the Deaf. And, they have one tall order.
"We cook for about 250 people in the school year," Chris Parker with "Youth Transition" says.
Every week, the youngsters prepare the Wednesday night meal at Calvary Baptist Church. It is part of a local culinary opportunity for young people with developmental disabilities called "Youth Transitions."
"I like to cook," signs Frederick Johnson, a sophomore at the Tennessee School for the Deaf.
"I'm happy to be in the program so I can learn more about cooking," adds fellow classmate Shey Kendrick.
For an hour and a half each day, Chris Harper teaches them culinary arts. He started "Youth Transitions" hoping to change a very harsh reality.
"70% of people with developmental disabilities will not have jobs," says Parker. "They may want a job. They just cant find a job."
Harper's goal is to prepare each student for a successful culinary career. "Youth Transitions" is a cooking program that goes beyond following a recipe.
"We're working with critical food temperatures, sanitation, how to cool foods down," describes Parker. "We do everything any sanitary food service operator would do."
The young chefs are quick learners. They have already mastered several meals.
"Eggs... bacon." signs Johnson.
"We cooked meatloaf," says Kendrick. "Now, we're cooking spaghetti."
"These kids are committed," says Parker. "I ask them to chop 5 pounds of onions and they do it freely."
The students are confident their hard work will pay off.
"I want to work at O'Charley's," says Kendrick.
"I want a job working in a restaurant cooking or go on to another program in higher education," says Johnson through an interpreter.
"Youth Transitions" is a two year commitment. Calvary Baptist is volunteering their kitchen for the culinary classroom. In October, "Youth Transitions" will offer another culinary arts opportunity at Sequoyah Presbyterian Church. It will cater to youth and young adults with other developmental disabilities.
If you would like to learn more about "Youth Transitions" call Chris Harper at 865-660-6680 or by email at youthtransitions@bellsouth.net.
Unlike most professional kitchens, the cooking facility at Calvary Baptist Church is not chaotic or crazed in the mornings. It is quiet. And, for good reason. The chefs manning the cuisine are students at the Tennessee School for the Deaf. And, they have one tall order.
"We cook for about 250 people in the school year," Chris Parker with "Youth Transition" says.
Every week, the youngsters prepare the Wednesday night meal at Calvary Baptist Church. It is part of a local culinary opportunity for young people with developmental disabilities called "Youth Transitions."
"I like to cook," signs Frederick Johnson, a sophomore at the Tennessee School for the Deaf.
"I'm happy to be in the program so I can learn more about cooking," adds fellow classmate Shey Kendrick.
For an hour and a half each day, Chris Harper teaches them culinary arts. He started "Youth Transitions" hoping to change a very harsh reality.
"70% of people with developmental disabilities will not have jobs," says Parker. "They may want a job. They just cant find a job."
Harper's goal is to prepare each student for a successful culinary career. "Youth Transitions" is a cooking program that goes beyond following a recipe.
"We're working with critical food temperatures, sanitation, how to cool foods down," describes Parker. "We do everything any sanitary food service operator would do."
The young chefs are quick learners. They have already mastered several meals.
"Eggs... bacon." signs Johnson.
"We cooked meatloaf," says Kendrick. "Now, we're cooking spaghetti."
"These kids are committed," says Parker. "I ask them to chop 5 pounds of onions and they do it freely."
The students are confident their hard work will pay off.
"I want to work at O'Charley's," says Kendrick.
"I want a job working in a restaurant cooking or go on to another program in higher education," says Johnson through an interpreter.
"Youth Transitions" is a two year commitment. Calvary Baptist is volunteering their kitchen for the culinary classroom. In October, "Youth Transitions" will offer another culinary arts opportunity at Sequoyah Presbyterian Church. It will cater to youth and young adults with other developmental disabilities.
If you would like to learn more about "Youth Transitions" call Chris Harper at 865-660-6680 or by email at youthtransitions@bellsouth.net.
That is a good point knowing that we need to improve our training for a better career something we are good at. It is a lot to think about than working for a minimum wage. That is really sad. 