Portland Chef Jamie Hall is continuing with his unique approach to helping residents re-enter society. After completing the Dismas Charities Portland Kitchen Skills Program, the student/residents are awarded certificates at a celebratory graduation dinner prepared as part of their final exam. Students are taught how to use all kitchen equipment, food preparation and storage, meal planning, cost control, nutrition, staffing, time management, job search and interview strategies, receiving and warehousing procedures, knife skills and kitchen hygiene. Also required is completion of an in house 200-question essay, true/false and multiple-choice test based on the Louisville Metro Department of Health’s Sanitation Course for Food Service Managers. Finally, students assume the role of Chef and plan, organize staffing and cook dinner for residents responsible for the in-house cleaning at the facility. Chef Hall created the program so that residents can provide certificates to prospective employers proving their expertise, which Hall verifies. Above students Brian Bowman and Matthew Abney watch as Robert Shumate puts the final touches on stuffed pork roasts. To date five residents have graduated, Shumate is next, and 12 students are currently in the program.
