Inmates show off their culinary skills with help from JobTrain Chef Adam Weiner

Inmates of the San Mateo County Jail will be showcasing their cooking talents in the first ever Culinary Cook-off organized by the Sheriff’s department and Menlo Park-based JobTrain, the non-profit organization that offers full-time vocational training and GED preparation.

“One of our vocational training programs is Culinary Arts,” emails Lori Stone, JobTrain’s Director of Development & Marketing.  “With Chef Adam Weiner (pictured) , students develop a working knowledge of kitchen safety; knife technique; food handling and sanitation; proficiency in the most common food service stations of dishwashing, salamander use, grill, sauté, and pantry; knowledge of mise en place; ability to follow basic written and spoken directions; and ability to act as a kitchen manager in a small commercial kitchen.”

The jail program tracks JobTrain’s regular curriculum so inmates can continue classes at the Menlo Park campus upon release. The objective is to prepare inmates for jobs in the food service industry and to hopefully reduce the criminal recidivism rate.

The cook-off takes place on Tuesday, Aug 17 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Sheriff’s Departments’ Maple Street jail complex in Redwood City.