Chef in Training Program
Sprouts Cooking Club offers vocational culinary apprenticeships to low income youth – during the transitional age of 16-24 – as an opportunity to learn cooking and restaurant employment skills under some of the best chefs at top restaurants in the Bay Area! Chef-in-Training (CIT) apprentices gain hands-on experience learning about knife skills, food handling and safety, ingredient prep, and various specialized stations such as salads, grill, pasta, baking, pastry, and more.
Since 2012, we have had 21 apprentices successfully graduate from our program. 72% of graduated Chefs-in-Training have continued on in the culinary field, finding employment in establishments such as Locanda, 25 Lusk, and Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite and continuing culinary education in local community programs. Apprentices leave the Chef-in-Training program with industry experience and skills that will build a solid foundation for a future in the culinary world.
“It is hard to overstate the meaningful impact Sprouts Cooking Club has made to our school’s interns. I can say with confidence that Sprouts is one of the most effective programs I’ve ever engaged within 5 years of youth engagement. Our school community is grateful for their expertise and professionalism and look forward to impacting more youth”
– Terrance Holliday
Ralph J. Bunche High School Work Based Learning Liaison, 2016
APPLICATION
PROGRAM DETAILS
The Chef-in-Training Program is a 4-6 month program. Unlike Sprouts other programs, the Chef-in-Training Program is not a cooking class, but rather a one-on-one style apprenticeship. Apprentices are working in a real, fast-paced, physically demanding restaurant kitchen, with the food they prepare going out directly to customers. Applicants should possess the passion and drive to make the long-term commitment to this kind of work.
We accept applications on a rolling basis! You are encouraged to apply if you have a strong interest in pursuing a future in the culinary industry!
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- 16-24 years old
- Speak fluent English
- Live in San Francisco Bay Area
- Available to work at least 16 hours/week
- Have access to transportation (personal or public)
- No previous experience in the restaurant industry is necessary
- Desire to use skills learned to pursue future path in the culinary field
We would love to get in touch!
Send us an email at caitlin@sproutscookingclub.org!
APPRENTICE PROFILES
Bobby Pennington
Bobby is currently an apprentice at Picán. He started cooking with Chef Jerome “Spike” Williams Winter of 2017 and has been mastering dessert recipes like Fried Banana Pudding and Creamy Banana Puddin’ Parfait with Pastry Chef Eduardo Manz!
Though Bobby used to skip school and hang out with the wrong crowd in his early years of high school, he has had a huge turnaround since transferring to Rudsdale Continuation School, getting almost straight A’s and becoming on track to graduate this June! Bobby has similarly persevered through family struggles, keeping a positive attitude throughout it all. We look forward to seeing Bobby progress through his apprenticeship at Picán and are proud that this apprenticeship inspired him to sign up for Pastry and Baking courses this summer at Laney College!
Zaira Segura
Zaira is our most recent graduate! She just started her apprenticeship with us this past August at alaMar. Though she had a shaky start, Zaira quickly turned that around with her eagerness to learn and her ability to think on her feet. She impressed Executive Chef Nelson German so much that he hired her on before her internship had ended. and she is still working there today. Congratulations, Zaira, on a job well done!
Alondra Casillas
Alondra is a Summer graduate from Boulevard! Alondra was an exemplary apprentice who was of great help to Chef Dana Younkin and the entire staff at Boulevard! Congratulations, Alondra!
Christina Septien
Christina is our first Fall 2016 apprentice! She just started her apprenticeship at Boulevard in San Francisco with Chef Dana Younkin mid-October.
Christina is currently enrolled at Bunche Academy, a continuation high school, where she is recuperating units for a full year of school she had missed. During that year, she had tried to complete high school through several online programs but was unsuccessful as she had to help support her single mother and niece. She looks forward to building up her culinary skills and experience through the next six months!
PROGRAM UPDATES
GET IN TOUCH
(207) 233-2757
Sprout's Locations
| KITCHEN | OFFICES |
|---|---|
| Girls Inc. Oakland 510 16th street Oakland CA 94612 |
Impact Hub Oakland 2323 Broadway Oakland CA 94612 |