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VIDEO: Celebrating our Latest Class of Culinary Job Training Graduates

2023 Winter Graduates from DC Central Kitchen on Vimeo. Today, we celebrated our latest class of culinary stars. Sponsored by the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and Marriott International, this class of students challenged themselves from day one. From a chili cooking competition to a professional development field trip to an inspiring graduation […]

Marriott’s Historic Support Levels Up in our New Home

The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and Marriott International are two of our longest-running strategic partners. From donating safe and sustainable food for our meals to hiring our graduates to catalyzing our pandemic– relief efforts, Marriott has invested considerable time and resources in supporting our mission for more than three decades.  Over the […]

Field Trip: CJT Visits Marriott International’s Global Headquarters

On February 16th, our latest class of Culinary Job Training students had the incredible opportunity to tour the new Marriott International Global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. During the tour, our students were able to visit Marriott’s Associate Growth Center, Executive Level Meeting Rooms, Planning Conference Rooms, and finally, the phenomenal Marriott Kitchen. Four long-time Marriott […]

First DCCK Cook-Off in the Klein Center Enchants Our Judges

February 15th marked an important day in DC Central Kitchen history – our very first Cook-Off in our new home! After seven weeks of refining both their knife and life skills, our latest class of Culinary Job Training students, sponsored by The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and Marriott International, had the chance […]

Becoming The Change I Want: Reflections from a CJT Grad

Since 1989, DC Central Kitchen has empowered more than 2,000 individuals through their award-winning Culinary Job Training Program (CJT), including me! As a recent graduate of the 2022 Fall Cohort, I want to tell my story and share the wisdom that motivated both myself and my fellow classmates throughout our 13 weeks of training. When I […]

Partnership Spotlight: Suited for Change Celebrates 30 Years of Empowering Local Women

For 30 years, our long-time partner Suited for Change has empowered local women seeking employment by providing professional attire, hosting in-person and online workshops, and facilitating virtual and in-person one-on-one coaching sessions. DC Central Kitchen’s partnership with the transformative organization has existed for years, with each class of our Culinary Job Training (CJT) students receiving […]

Fall Cohort’s Cook-Off: Innovating a Classic

On the last day of November, our Culinary Job Training (CJT) fall cohort marked the mid-point of their training program with a Cook-off — a favorite milestone for staff and students alike!     The cohort is split into four teams for this staple culinary challenge. Each team must rely on the knife and life skills they […]

Civil Eats: The Next Generation of DC Central Kitchen Chefs

Photo Credit: Jake Price, Civil Eats Civil Eats reporter Lisa Held and photojournalist Jake Price spotlighted the ten incredible students that make up Culinary Job Training (CJT) Class 130. This extraordinary class is set to graduate on Friday, and we know they will continue to shape our city into a more hopeful, just place as […]

CJT Graduate and Cafe Lead Mykel T. Is Committed to Growth

Mykel T. is interested in growth. His peers nominated him to represent Culinary Job Training (CJT) Class 125 at graduation last summer, but he spent graduation day at the hospital welcoming a new baby girl. As a father and a hard worker, Mykel is always looking for the opportunity to pursue new avenues for success. […]

Southern Style Meatloaf for the Win at the CJT Class 130 Cookoff!

It was the battle of meatloaves at the Culinary Job Training Class 130’s cookoff on Wednesday. The eleven students were split up into four teams and each came up with a different way to prepare a meatloaf. Team Tastemakers were inspired by their southern background and prepared a southern style meatloaf. Team Taste of DC […]