79th Culinary Job Training Class Graduates, Begins New Careers

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07.21.2010 --

After 12 weeks of intensive instruction, Arnold Young is standing tall alongside 20 other graduates at the 79th Culinary Job Training Program class graduation at the U.S. Navy Memorial and Heritage Center. Arnold had his pick of three job offers at the conclusion of the program and decided on employment in kitchens at both Geppetto Catering and Good Stuff Eatery in D.C.

Arnold admits that his life has changed drastically in the last three months. On February 4, 2010, he was released from a three-year prison sentence for selling cocaine and possessing unregistered firearms. Just four months later Arnold is concluding the Culinary Job Training Program with full employment. He was also awarded both "Most Improved" and "The Ron Swanson Life Skills Award" at the graduation ceremony.

"I had never worked before the Kitchen," said Arnold. "I had sold drugs. But I'm working now. I'm not going back to the streets. I'm able to provide for my son legally now. And my family's behind me."

Arnold is just one story of 21 in the "Superfine 79" CJT class. Eighteen of the 21 students have already been hired in the D.C. area at establishments such as Zola, Harry's Tap Room, and Good Stuff Eatery. The class had six students with perfect attendance for the entire 12 week session – a record number for the 20 years of the CJT program.

Attendants of the 79th CJT class graduation were in high spirits at the packed Heritage Center Auditorium. Keynote speaker Bernard Wood, Area General Manager of Sodexo, encouraged graduates to remember three points for future success: perseverance, control of your own destiny, and focus.

Vanessa Daniel, graduate of the 77th CJT class, explained her own lesson for succeeding in life after the program. "To the 79th Class, there are only five words I can say to you: Attitude, Attitude, Attitude, Attitude, Attitude."

DC Central Kitchen President Robert Egger arrived at the ceremony just in time to address the graduates after being stranded in Vermont after a canceled plane flight. Robert jokingly compared his own day's journey to the hardships overcome by the graduates.

"Just like the class, they tried to keep me down, but I had to fly," said Robert.