New Culinary Starts Program

Culinary Starts is a new program that offers vocational training to Shelter House clients. Trainees undergo twelve weeks of classes and hands-on training to master skills in kitchen sanitation, safety, and food production. The training prepares clients for a national certification in food preparation, and better positions clients for a wide range of employment opportunities.

Culinary Starts launched Guest Chef night on June 2, 2011 and held two more events over the summer and early fall. Guest Chef Night brings community chefs and our trainees together to prepare a formal meal for the public. The event allows our trainees to work directly with area chefs to network and explore various employment options, while the chefs have the opportunity to showcase new menus, and guests can enjoy a delicious and socially conscious meal. Watch our home page for upcoming Guest Chef events.

Culinary Starts is also expanding in other ways, with a full line of catering and contract meal options. We’ve recently started our first ongoing meal contracts with a University of Iowa Fraternity and the UI Hospitals and Clinics. We continue looking for ways to expand so we’re able to incorporate more trainees into the program.  Culinary Starts can cater your next event; see our Culinary Starts Menu for box lunch, lunch and dinner buffet selections.

Please call or email  Sam Kron at: 319-338-5416 ext. 243 or skron@shelterhouseiowa.org for more information.