Culinary Training Program
The Culinary Training Program prepares people who are seeking a second chance for careers in the culinary arts and hospitality industries.
After completing their pre-training with CPA partner Billings Forge Works, each person participates in 10 weeks of paid, structured, on-the-job culinary training while working at the Pond House Cafe.
The trainees also gain experience in both the back and front operations of the restaurant.
The program trains up to 12 people per year.
Louis at the Pond House has been a special mentor to me. In my jobs there, I was quickly promoted from dishwasher to banquet server, banquet captain, café server and kitchen prep cook. My goal is to continue running the Culinary Training Program for CPA to help people like me get a second chance.
— Felicia Jenkins - Head Chef at Zest 280 and Program Trainer
Enrollment Criteria
Program Partners
Social Enterprise: This program is a unique collaboration between CPA and the owner of the Pond House Café and Zest 280 Eatery - Louis Lista and his business partner, Kim Yarum. Hire: The most important way a business can help is to hire trainees from the program. Train: In the near future, CPA and Louis Lista hope to expand the training program into more restaurants as a way to increase the number of people who are prepared to work in the culinary industry. For fundraising events, please visit the Pond House!Support
Here is how your gift can make an impact:
Transportation to and from Training:
$20 – 7 day bus pass
$65 – 28 day bus pass
Culinary Uniform:
$25 – 1 Chef’s jacket
$50 – 1 pair of comfortable, supportive, slip-resistant Chef shoes
Culinary Tools:
$200 – 1 set of professional student knives
Training for two people per cycle:
$350 – 1 week of training stipend/person
$700 – 1 week of training stipends/cycle
$3,500 – 10 week training/person
$7,000 – 10 week training/ cycle
$42,000 – 6 training cycles/year
CPA Culinary Training Program at the Pond House Cafe
1555 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT
Tel: 860-231-8823