On Friday, October 25th, the first Community Kitchen Academy class in Barre graduated eight students. Governor Madeleine Kunin joined dignitaries and guests in congratulating the students, who completed a 13 week course in culinary skills development, career readiness and job placement.

Community Kitchen Academy was started as a partnership, in Burlington, between the Vermont Foodbank and the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf.  CKA Burlington recently graduated their 14th class.  CKA Barre is a partnership between the Vermont Foodbank and Central Vermont Community Action Council (CVCAC), located in downtown Barre and intended to prepare underemployed and unemployed Vermonters for a career in the food service industry and lifelong learning through an intensive program that earns students nine college credits through the Vermont State College Office of External Credits.

Here are photos of the Community Kitchen Academy Barre graduation: