Third Class of International Home Cooks to Receive Culinary Certifications!
The Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast (HABAGC) recognized a need to assist Hispanic home cooks, some new to our community, by helping promote food preparation skills along with business entrepreneurship. After winning a competitive grant from Mobile United, HABAGC along with Bishop State Community College and Coastal Alabama Community College created a culinary certification program for these home cooks.
On Wednesday, December 14 at 5pm at the Ben May public library downtown Mobile, the third group of students will have their finishing ceremony after completing course work at Coastal Alabama Community College. Two groups graduated earlier this year, one from Bishop State Community College and another from Coastal Alabama Community College.
The course of study includes business training in addition to culinary instructions leading to Six certifications including ServSafe, Restaurant Server, Kitchen Cook and Mobile County Food Handler Card. The classes and material are all in Spanish. Aside from helping these entrepreneurs perhaps open their own business, students will be ready to serve in high demand jobs in hospitality. This project is an economic and workforce development program that is free of cost to the individuals.
Beyond addressing the issue of permits and licensing, HABAGC’s goal is to allow these now certified Chefs to offer authentic food from their home countries to our broader community, sharing the flavors of Latin American Cuisine. The ultimate goal is to establish a non-profit Commissary Kitchen in order to provide a place for these talented Chefs to cook commercially … selling their goods and improving the quality of life for their families. Plans are on-going with the opening set for the Fall of 2023.
