Culinary Arts
Culinary training, meal production, and job placement are the hallmarks of the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Culinary Arts program. Enrolling up to 80 students a year, the program provides the foundation of required culinary skills for students to secure jobs and pursue meaningful careers throughout the Los Angeles restaurant and hospitality sectors.
Our State-of-the-Art Culinary Training Program
The Curriculum
The 300-hour culinary curriculum, based on classic French techniques, provides a solid framework for students. Lessons include basic knife skills, food safety training, and essential cooking techniques. Daily class progression works to build on previously learned skills and increase the speed and productivity of students. This foundation is necessary as students prepare up to 500 fresh and nutritious meals a day for the Center’s youth and senior members, many who struggle with homelessness and food insecurity.
Direct, Industry Experience
To complete the program and gain industry experience, students are placed in a wide range of local businesses. Diverse community internship partners span fine dining establishments, amusement parks, bakeries, and cafés. The program assists in launching new culinary careers while providing much-needed nourishment for members of the community.
Overview
This 12-week, 300-hour training program is broken into three modules, which take place for four weeks at a time. These modules include: basic culinary skills development, campus meal production for the Center's clients, and then externship and job placement assistance. Annually, we enroll 80 students from either the Center's Senior or Youth Services departments.
And It Gives Back
Our commercial kitchen also prepares meals for our members 365-days per year. And the program's catering arm provides gourmet menu options for events at both the Anita May Rosenstein Campus and the Village at Ed Gould Plaza.
Frequently Asked Questions
A new culinary cohort/class starts approximately every 5 weeks, or about 10 start dates per year.
Watch Nicole Richie Tour Our Kitchen!
Watch Nicole Richie Tour Our Kitchen!
Nourishing Our Community
Liberation Coffee House
The Culinary Arts Program generates income that can be reinvested back into Center programming. Liberation Coffee House, the Center’s cafe on Santa Monica Boulevard, provides a daily stop for both Center employees and members of the local community to purchase delicious food and beverages.
Support Liberation Coffee House, Support the Center
