Community Kitchen AcademyBurlington, VT – The Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf (CEFS) and the Vermont Foodbank are thrilled to announce the hiring of a new Chef Instructor for the Community Kitchen Academy (CKA) program in Burlington.

Jim Logan brings over 30 years of culinary experience to his position at CEFS.  He was the Chef Instructor for the New England Culinary Institute in Essex Junction and served as the Chef Manager of Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English.

“We are so excited to have Jim Logan join our team to share his passion for the culinary field with all of us and with the people we serve,” said Rob Meehan, Director of the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf.

The job training program teaches underemployed or unemployed Vermonters culinary and career development skills.  Chef Instructors and students rescue food that would otherwise be wasted and transform it into meals that are then distributed to our neighbors facing hunger.

Jim Logan“I am looking forward to my first class in July,” said Logan.  “There is nothing more exciting than utilizing all your skills and creativity to teach people in the community how to make great, healthy food.”

Since its creation in 2009, the Community Kitchen Academy program at CEFS has graduated 160 students.  These students have reported a significant impact on their mental health as well as increased economic independence, resulting in a 91% job placement rate for program graduates.

“We are thrilled to have Jim Logan on board as the new Chef Instructor for Community Kitchen Academy,” said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO. “Jim brings a depth of experience that will be an incredible asset for this program and its students. We look forward to seeing him inspire our future CKA classes and transform lives alongside the Vermont Foodbank and Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf.”

There are still openings for the 23rd CKA session, which will begin on July 10th.  Those who are interested in applying are encouraged to contact Jim Logan at jlogan@cvoeo.org or complete an application online at www.vtfoodbank.org/nurture-people/community-kitchen-academy

 

About Community Kitchen Academy

Community Kitchen Academy (CKA) is a statewide program of the Vermont Foodbank that has been in operation since 2009 in partnership with the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf in Burlington, VT and since 2013 with Capstone Community Action in Barre, VT.

CKA prepares underemployed and unemployed Vermonters for a career in the food service industry and lifelong learning through an intensive program of culinary skills development, career readiness and job placement. Students actively develop and apply new skills by creating wholesome meals for those at risk of hunger, using food that would otherwise go to waste.

Students are eligible for an attendance bonus, culinary equipment, and uniforms. Students can qualify for up to 9 college credits, receive certified training for ServSafe Food Safety and are assisted in finding full-time employment.

Between its two locations, CKA has graduated 239 students, producing and distributing 440,000 meal servings since 2009. Ninety-one percent of graduates have been successful in finding employment in the culinary industry.