The fourth class of the Foodlink Career Fellowship — a unique culinary training program and NYS apprenticeship — will start their career journeys at Foodlink this summer.

The nomination period for the Class of 2022 is officially underway and will last through May 31. The Fellowship accepts applicants who receive a nomination from a community-based organization, employer, caseworker or mentor. Nominated Fellows are then invited to apply for acceptance into the program, which is scheduled to start in late June.

Applicants should be:

• At least 18 years of age and facing barriers to sustainable employment
• Ready to commit to a year-long program with intensive training
• Dedicated to showing a strong commitment to building a career in food service and culinary arts

DOWNLOAD: Foodlink Career Fellowship nomination/application form

MORE: Foodlink’s one-page summary of the Fellowship’s application process

More about the program

The Foodlink Career Fellowship offers an intensive, yearlong culinary curriculum that includes both classroom and hands-on training within Foodlink’s state-of-the-art commercial kitchen. Fellows play an integral role alongside the Foodlink Community Kitchen’s staff in preparing thousands of healthy meals daily for Rochester children, all while increasing the core competencies needed to work in a fast-paced kitchen environment.

Fellows also learn culinary skills via Rouxbe, a world-renowned online culinary training software, and work on essential soft skills development to prepare them for future job opportunities. The final months of the program are spent at an externship with a regional employer.

The Fellowship is an official New York State Registered Apprenticeship Training program — the first such cook apprenticeship in the state. Two classes have graduated from the program since its launch 2018, with a third class scheduled to graduate this summer.

For more information about the Foodlink Career Fellowship, email: [email protected].