Trio Graduates from Training Academy’s Culinary School

Three inmates have completed a nine-week culinary school course at the Training Academy. The trio obtained their certificates during a graduation breakfast on June 23.

Led by Chef Todd Lewis, the course is designed to teach the fine arts of cooking so that the students can seek jobs in upscale restaurants upon reentry. The students also achieve their ServSafe certificates, which gives them the credential needed to apply for jobs in the food service industry.

Training Academy Director Peter Damiter was also on hand to congratulate the graduates. The “final exam” breakfast — prepared from scratch by the inmates who needed to work as a team and serve the meal — was comprised of Huevos Rancheros, scrambled eggs, sausage, southern chicken and waffle sliders, a hash brown casserole, sticky buns and blueberry muffins. All foods — even the pork sausage — were made from scratch.