Restaurants and businesses are reemerging all over the Queen City and now a local cooking school is doing its part to train a unique group of people to work as chefs. Time Warner Cable News reporter LaMonica Peters was in Elmwood Village and has the details.
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Professional Culinary Academy on Elmwood Avenue opened it's doors five years ago to adult students with disabilities. Now, more than 100 students have successfully completed the six-month program and are working in the culinary field.
"Twenty percent of America is disabled, from one extreme to the other, and we provide a second chance in the culinary world. Many of us love to cook and cooking brings people together," said Dale Holt, Professional Culinary Academy's executive chef.
Holt, a Buffalo native, spent nearly 30 years cooking in New Orleans before moving home 10 years ago. Students come from all over Western New York to learn from him. The Academy is sponsored through the New York State Education Department and students are also offered job placement assistance.
"The majority that come here are referred through Access VR which is an organization that will sponsor individuals who have disabilities to attend here and they pay full tuition. The tuition covers everything from them from the uniform, to the textbooks, their knifing tools that they need of course to perform here at the school," said Academy Director Ann Marie Rodriguez.
Culinary student Alvia Singleton says after hearing about the program, he knew it was the right place to enhance his cooking skills and start a culinary career.
"My goals are to find a place where I can be comfortable cooking or maybe open my own food truck, food service or something like that. It's going to be food service," said Singleton.
Holt says through the Academy, he hopes to provide the next generation of chefs in Buffalo as the city continues to rebound and grow.