Culinary Training
What is the Manna Culinary Program?
The Manna Culinary Program is a free 5-week job skills training program, meant to empower and confirm people's ability to pick up or improve their skills in the kitchen. In this class, we will learn the basics of food safety, cooking, and cleaning, as well as life and professional skills. Guest chefs work with us each week to give insights and recipe tips. Graduates earn a 3-year food handlers license, a certificate of program completion, a certificate from the National Restaurant Association, and a letter of recommendation.
Who can Enroll in the Culinary Program?
Any Southwest Colorado community member who is interested in entering, reentering, changing, or elevating jobs in the hospitality industry is welcome to reach out and apply. The application process is simple and streamlined, just fill out the form below or contact the Culinary Manager. We hold open-enrollment classes for community members and we partner with local high schools for youth classes.
When is the Culinary Program in Session?
There will be 3 open-enrollment sessions for the year of 2025.
January 7 - February 7, 2025
May 6 - June 6, 2025
August 26 - September 26, 2025
Classes take place Tuesday through Friday 9am-1pm through the duration of each session. We also hold one class per semester with Big Picture High School and have a partnership with Wolverine Academy of Bayfield.
Want to inquire about joining our culinary program?
Fill out this quick questionnaire.
Need More Information? Contact Us
History of the Manna Culinary Program:
Manna’s Culinary Program was established in 2014 as a way to help people gain the necessary skills to secure a job in the food service industry. The Culinary Program is open to the public and is the only program of its kind in the area. The Culinary Program offers a 5-week course with teachings by guest chefs from our community. Partnerships with local resources offer other services with weekly classroom presentations. Active participation in Community Kitchen preparation offers real-life job experience. By combining cooking skills obtained in our commercial kitchen, and life skills taught in our classroom, graduates leave ready to take the next steps toward independence.
Do you have industry experience? Support our students as a guest chef!
By having guest chefs working side-by-side with our students to prepare select dishes, the Manna Culinary Program offers an opportunity to gain vital hands-on experience and knowledge from those who know the industry best. It also provides students the ability to network with potential employers. As a guest chef, you could bring informative tips on interviewing and what they look for when hiring. We’re always in search of guest chefs to take part in our program. Our goal is to have at least one guest chef per week. Please email our Culinary Manager, Megan Feuerbacher, culinary@mannasoupkitchen.com to volunteer as a guest chef.