Harrisburg, PA – The Department of Corrections Culinary
Arts Program, which has trained hundreds of inmates for careers in the food
service industry, was featured Saturday at the PA Preferred Culinary Connection
at the 2019 Pennsylvania Farm Show.
Chef Instructor Todd Lewis presented his recipe for “Cheese, Leek and Mushroom Bread Pudding” during the show’s “Dairy Day” with help from a graduate of the program.
"The culinary arts programs are among the many career-training programs within DOC that provide valuable skills that lead to employment upon release,” said Corrections Secretary John Wetzel. “Almost all of the individuals incarcerated in our prisons will return to the community one day and employment is key to ensuring they are successful and do not return to prison.”
The DOC’s nine-week culinary arts programs operate at three institutions. The primary
program is located at the Training Academy in Elizabethtown, a second program for men is held at SCI Waymart and the first formal program for female inmates started at SCI Muncy last year. Since the first program started in 2003, hundreds of inmates have mastered basic food service skills that prepare them for future jobs.
“The DOC is thrilled to participate in the PA Farm Show for the second year because it provides significant exposure to a program that is making a difference in people’s lives,” said Lewis. “After my presentation at the Farm Show last year, I received numerous inquiries from employers interesting in learning more about the program and its graduates and I hope this year we can further spread the message that DOC is training qualified men and women for a high demand field.”
Students in the culinary academies:
- Develop basic skills for preparing, soups and stocks, starches, vegetables and proteins.
- Learn essential techniques in bread baking, cake baking, and decorating.
- Are selected through a competitive program that requires a high school diploma or GED
- Receive a ServSafe® Certificate.
Culinary academy graduates go on to work as line cooks, prep cooks, kitchen managers and chefs in restaurants and institutions and some have pursued culinary degree programs.
MEDIA CONTACT: Amy Worden, 717-728-4026,
aworden@pa.gov
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