The application for this program is open to any adult with a disability. Successful applicants must demonstrate a serious interest in a career in food service and have the ability to be successful in the program and in competitive employment.

In the 15-week training program, students are taught by a certified culinary instructor, who will teach them the following skills:

• Sanitation and food safety

• Knife safety skills

• Cooking and baking

• Customer service

As part of our cooking classes for adults with disabilities, the Paraquad team helps each graduate find employment. Hospitality and food service roles are considered great gateway jobs — we believe skills learned in them can be transferable to new career paths as well.

Eligibility:

• Must be 18 or older

• Any disability will be considered

• Successful applicants must demonstrate an interest in food service and an ability to be successful in the program and in competitive employment

In Partnership with Salvation Army:

Students who take our culinary classes in St. Louis prepare 175 meals/day, 3 days/week for a total of 6,300 meals/semester.

The program supplies 18,900 meals each year in total. These meals are provided to participants in the Salvation Army’s Downtown Drug Treatment Center, veterans who live at the St. Louis Midland Division of the Salvation Army and veterans receiving Salvation Army services in Alton and St. Charles.

Program Benefits:

Our program offers countless benefits as individuals prepare for employment, including: 

• Small class size

• Industry-specific skills

• ServSafe certification

• Job readiness training

• Optional paid internship

• Job placement assistance

• On-the-job support

Our cooking classes for adults with disabilities are funded by the Productive Living Board and the St. Louis Office for Developmental Disability Resources.

How to Apply:

Our culinary classes in St. Louis have limited space, making the application process competitive. The first step is to complete an application. To request an application or learn more about the program, please contact:

Candice Zottarelle czottarelle@paraquad.org
Chef Kelly Ross kross@paraquad.org