DA HONORABLE WILLIE L. BROWN JR. GETS PRIMED & PREPPED!

 

The Speaker Was In The House

We were delighted that Mayor Brown joined us to bring awareness about the importance of the Tourism Industry in San Francisco and how Primed & Prepped is a vehicle to entry level jobs in this industry.

Our added bonus was having award-winning broadcast journalist and author, Belva Davis who made history in 1966 when she was hired by San Francisco, California’s Channel 5, KPIX-TV, becoming the first female African American television news reporter on the West Coast.

Belva moderated the panel that consisted of Casey Neuburger, Human Resource Director at Hotel Nikko and the Chair of the P&P Advisory Board, Debra Higa, Director of Human Resources, Westin St. Francis, Lahrul Hayden, Inaugural P&P student, and Aleja Cobarruviaz, recent P&P graduate.

Before introducing Brown, Kelly walked down memory lane telling how she met him in 1990 when he was Speaker of the Assembly and from then on, he became an integral part of her career. She was his makeup artist while he was in office for 2-years.

It's official, Mayor Brown is Primed & Prepped with his personalized Chef Coat!

After his talk, Takija Gardner, Bayview YMCA Executive Director, honored Brown by presenting him with the Bayview YMCA Community & Public Service Award.

Chef Yaku, Program Chef and Food Network All Star and the Primed and Prepped students prepared the delicious appetizers that included Caprese skewers with pesto, chicken kabobs, garlic bread, meatballs, fruit salad, meat board with crackers and olives and a dessert table

YUMMY!!

Chef Yaku's Assistant, Chef Izzy  was also on hand sharing baking points with the students.

Our partners at Bi-Rite generously donated delicious cheese platters, thanks Sarah Arndt.

Kudos to Casey,  Debra, and Kevin Carroll , Executive Director, Hotel Council ( missing  from photo) for making this event happen

Man Kim, Owner Lori's Diner and Sears Fine Food and a P&P program funder expresses his positive sentiments about why he stays involved with the program, put simply he's helping to change lives! Thanks, Man Kim

Rob Twyman, Regional President Wholefoods Market-Northern California & Reno. Wholefoods Market has done quite a bit for the P&P program providing funds for scholarships, catering supplies and started a P&P Internship program.

Doris Broussard, Grand Parent, and P&P Administrative Volunteer.  Doris spoke on why she became a volunteer with the program as her granddaughter Sonte Rollins, recent P&P graduate listens intently.

Tristen Ellington, P&P Inaugural student attends Sonoma State University, making time to give back to the program. 

Judy Lepe, P&P Volunteer, Chef Kevin Tucker, Flynn Bradley, Manager of Office of Employment and Community Partnerships at San Francisco Airport, Kelly, Demetrius Durham, Workforce Development Director at Bayview YMCA and Casey Neuburger

David Shaw, Director of Communication & Marketing, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy,  Kelly and Mikael Wagner, Principal at Promotions West, P&P Fundraising Volunteers

Mildred Blackmon, P&P supporter, Kelly, and Nati Ramirez,  Owner Don Ramon's Mexican Restaurant, and P&P supporter. Nati, you always said you would make it to one of our events and you did. What a great surprise it was! 

Jackie Wright, Publicist with Wright Enterprise and Belva. Thanks Jackie for securing Belva as our Moderator.

The Primed & Prepped Students 

 Are Why We Do What We Do!

Take a look at the following photos highlighting the students as they prepared for the evenings event. You will notice the teamwork, the smiles, the focus and attention to detail that is necessary while working in the kitchen.

Each student has a role and responsibility and they get right to it.

Great to see graduates coming back time after time helping out and giving back

Is that a Cell Phone I see in her hand?  That's a definite NO, NO!

Friendships develop over the years like with these two Alums both at the Fairmont Hotel

Chef Yaku  is somewhere behind the scenes making sure  everyone is on schedule

For those of you that missed Aleja on the panel speaking, you missed out. 

Alumni student Isaac with his Grandmother who absolutely loves Primed & Prepped.. Isaac, thanks for  your continual support of the program and giving back!

Is it ready?

Mayor Brown, A Hit with P&P Students

Mayor Brown made it a point to take out time to be with  the P&P students

Mayor Brown enjoyed listening to Aleja as a panelist was impressed with her confidence

Isaac is our tech savvy student as you can see him sharing something here with Mayor Brown

Primed & Prepped Program 

September 19, 2017 - May 10, 2018

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

4:00 pm-6:30 pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMED & PREPPED  CONTACT KELLY ARMSTRONG AT THE BAYVIEW YMCA (415) 822-7728 OR EMAIL KARMSTRONG@YMCASF.ORG.

2016 In Pictures-A Look Back at Primed & Prepped

P&P Caters the San Francisco Warriors "Season of Giving" Holiday Fest at the Bayview Opera House and Joseph Lee Recreation Center

The Warriors Holiday Fest engaged over 200 youth in festive

activities interacting with the Warriors Players and volunteers. 

The students were from Carver Elementary, Charles Drew Elementary 

and Joseph Lee Gym

P&P student (sitting in the center with Y T-Shirt) gets a thumbs up from the Warrior
Volunteers as they have lunch that was catered by the P&P students.

This P&P student used her knife skills to prepare the chicken breast for the Chicken Pesto Pasta for the 50 Adult Volunteers. Also on the menu was a Caesar Salad and garlic bread. The vegetarian option included Stuffed Pepper with rice and veggies and homemade triple chocolate brownies.

P&P  worked tirelessly preparing 250 whole wheat wraps with honey-baked turkey and jack cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce wrap made for the elementary students who were the Warriors' invited guests!

This young lady was so excited about participating in this event to meet her
favorite player Clay Thompson. But, to her delight, she got so much more.

The event's highlight for me was watching our student meet her idol.
Chef Yaku made it happen for her! It reminded me of how I felt when I met
my idol Berry Gordy of Motown Records. PRICELESS!

Can you see why this young lady was in seventh heaven?
Andre Igudola is another one of her favorites!

Watching her drum up the courage to ask for their autograph was something to see.
 Once she got the hang of it, she was off and running.
 Her Primed & Prepped Apron is now full of autographs!

The players helped to pass out the student lunches!

The Warrior Dancers were in the house helping to pass out lunches too!

Yummy!

Lunch is served. Each box also included 2-tangerines and a peppermint candy cane

Chef Yaku chatted with the young people to find out if they enjoyed their lunch. Thumbs Up!

During my brief encounter with Warriors Coach Steve Kerr, I found him 
very humble and funny. 

These guys, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry were enjoying taking photos with the elementary school kids and rocking to some old-school R&B music!

Chef Yaku, P&P Instructor, Chyna Davis, P&P Student, Jason Mark, Warriors Special Event Coordinator, Me and Theo Ellington, Warriors Marketing Director. A special THANK YOU to Theo for making this happen for Primed & Prepped!

P&P Decorate Gingerbread House at The Fairmont Hotel

Michelle Gaul, Regional Director of Human Resources at Fairmont Hotel and  P&P Advisory Board Member, invited  P&P students to help decorate the Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread House. This was such an honor to be a part of a century-long tradition. The Chef hats were donated by the Fairmont, and the Aprons were donated by our program supporter  Lynette Cayson of Cayson Designs.

Chef Yaku had a ball showing his son Angel how to place the green marshmallow trim!

Angel was definitely a little kid in a candy store! He couldn't believe that he could
  actually eat the gumball, malt balls, marshmallows, and the white icing that was 
the glue for building the house. So much fun watching him!

So Much to See at the Fairmont Hotel

The P&P students were happy to see P&P's inaugural student Lahrul Hayden at work.



Oscar Gonzales, the Executive Chef, was happy to have Lahrul come out and greet his fellow classmates.


Chef Gonzales gave an in-depth tour of the kitchen and explained the role of an Executive Chef.


A tour to the Tonga Room, one of their restaurants, and Hurricane Bar!

Kate Schroeder, Pastry Sous Chef, and Kimberly Tighe, Executive Pastry Chef 

that led the team who built the Gingerbread House takes out

 time to speak with the P&P students.

Winding down our fun and a fact-filled visit to a delightful dinner!
The students were taking photos of the food and posting on Instagram!
 Couldn't get them to put down those Cell Phones, so I joined in!!!!

As you can see, Chef Yaku was also snapping away! This is truly a sign of the times!

Michelle Gaul, Regional Director of Human Resources, Fairmont Hotel.

Thanks again for making P&P the recipients of your Rummage Sale. The funds the
Fairmont's decluttering their storage space was greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much for all that you do for our program!

P&P Parent Holiday Dinner

Chef Yaku carved the delectable  Prime Rib that the students helped him prepare!

The students did a FANTASTIC job decorating and displaying the food

The students prepared mashed potatoes, garlic broccoli, deep-fried macaroni & cheese topped
  with pulled chicken and coleslaw. Dessert was Rice Krispie squares, fresh strawberries,
pineapple, and marshmallows served with chocolate fondue.

The students and Chef received rave reviews for a great meal. 

Michael Kirtman, Facilities Manager at the Bayview Y, greeted
the student's parents and wished them a great holiday season! The parents and family members enjoyed the meal prepared by their youth and loved the raffle prizes, from movie tickets to Safeway gift cards!.

Thurgood Marshall Culinary Students Visits Primed & Prepped

Chef Yaku giving the students of Thurgood Marshall an overview  of the P&P Program

The students were treated to a  healthy breakfast and Q&A about the program.
 Two students joined the program!

Chef Yaku gives a knife demonstration that all enjoy watching. He is magical with a knife!

Elizabeth Quinones Gonzales, Thurgood Marshall Culinary Instructor, thanks for visiting to learn more about the P&P Program; we look forward to working with you and your students!

Chef Yaku visits Thurgood Marshall Culinary Progam.

Chef Yaku paid the culinary students at Thurgood Marshall a visit and gave them
  an excellent lecture on a day in the life of a Chef. 

The 7th Annual Black Student Union High School Summit Honoring Senator Mark Leon and Lamont Bishop

The Summit was sponsored by the San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators and the

 San Francisco Unified School District. The co-sponsors were the Bayview Association

 for Youth, 100% College Prep Institute and the YMCA. This year's theme was 

"Black Excellence..the Time is Now"

Virginia Marshall Vice President of the San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators.,
 Senator Mark Leno, that has hosted the event every year at the State Building,
Emily Wade-Thompson, President of SF Alliance of Black School Educators, and 
LaMonte Bishop, Deputy District Director of Senator Mark Leno.Senator Leno 
and  LaMonte was being honored for their years of dedication and service.
Not included in the photos are Diane Gray, Executive Director of !00% College Prep
 and Chair of BSU

The room was full of "High School" energy. Anyone that works with youth knows what I mean:)
It was a great group of motivated students!

One of our P&P graduates joined Chef Yaku to demonstrate knife cutting skills. 

It was a great Q&A session where the students wanted to know more about the program.
Two students joined P&P, and one is now working with Whole Foods!

Rounding out our session with Chef Phillip Gum.
He is a Chef and the owner of JE Model Management, a talent agency.
He encouraged the students to get an education and to travel.

CCSF'S Chef Ng, Does It Again!

For the past 3-years, City College of SF Culinary Instructor, Ronald Ng,
 has graciously hosted P&P, starting them off with dinner.

The delicious dinner was prepared by the CCSF Culinary students. 

Chef Yaku takes a moment to share a few words of wisdom
 before beginning the tour

Chef Ng spends a great deal of time touring their facilities, explaining the
 equipment and what is required of the students in their culinary program 

The "Coffee Man" Visits P&P

Elliot Katz, CFE, HAAC, Foodservice Coffee Consultant
with over 45 years in the Foodservice Coffee business visited the
 Bayview YMCA to make a generous coffee donation!

When I told Elliot I would like to have Coffee in our kitchen, he smiled and said,
 "I can help with that"! I've known Elliot for many years, so it wasn't such
an off-the-wall request; he totally supports the program.

We received a Curtis Pourover Brewer, 3-2.2 Liter Airports, a Case of Regular
and Decaf Coffee, a Case of paper cups, and a case of filters.
We are set to go, Coffee, anyone?

Giving Back to the Community 

Is What Man J Kim Does!

Man J Kim, the owner of Lori's Diner, Sears Fine Food, and Golden Gate Bar & Grill, has not only
come out to lecture to the students provide internships but donates financially every year to the program!

To show my appreciation to Man J. Kim, I hand-made these ties.
So when you see him, you can ask him about Betty Boop!

CELLPHONE PARTY 

ANNUAL CAMPAIGN!

P&P students arriving at class to prepare the delicious meal for our 

Volunteer Fundraising Callers! 

P&P Advisory Board member Emanuel Brueh, Human Resource Director 

with Park Central Hotel, bought along with co-workers Sylvia Samantha, Human

 Resource Coordinator with Stanford Court Hotel, Timothy Daube, Human 

Resources Complex Manager with Hotel Diva, Christina Tang, Human Resource

 Manager with Park Central Hotel and Cindy Phu, Human Resource Manager 

with Parc 55. These guys didn't let up on the phone.

 P&P is forever grateful for the funds they raised! 

P&P students took time to introduce themselves and give a 

description of the menu they prepared!

That's me chatting with the Volunteers and reminding them of the beautiful
gifts they can win through the evening for reaching fundraising goals. Even though
they were not present, other P&P Advisory Board Members also raised funds.

P&P Advisory Board Member Kevin Carroll, Executive Director, Hotel Council,

 was the first to reach his fundraising goal. He won this portrait donated by

 photographer Jon Rendell (also took the Cell Phone Party Photos) valued at

 $250.00. The photo comes from the Stanford University show and is also showcased

 in Jon's year-long blog called is This Frisco. 

Antoinette Sobalvarro, Community Advocate, and Mikael Wagner,

 Principal, Promotions West, played the critical role of securing in-kind 

gifts for the Volunteers, tracking money raised, and so much more.

 Missing was Don Brown, Concierge at Nema Apartments.

Chef Yaku KUDOS for instructing P&P  in the kitchen, creating

some amazing food. 

 WE DID IT AGAIN! P&P GRADUATION #3 May 12, 2016

Upon graduation, students that successfully completed the program are

 placed on Internships at various hotels and restaurants.

We are all so proud of the P&P student's accomplishments!

An excited group of young men and women ready to graduate and move on to
summer internships at hotels and restaurants!!

This was a special day for all of the P&P students!

I'm looking forward to their internships... I can't wait to get them all placed!

These are the first young ladies to graduate from Prime & Prepped. 

Chef Coats are earned after completing more than 50-hours and Aprons

20-hours. We are proud of them for going the distance.

She was so proud of her Achievement!

His comments about how P&P changed his life were heartwarming.

He says, "I found a place where I fit in."

Showing off both his certificates of Achievement from the P&P Program and 

Senator Mark Leno's Office. Senator Mark Leno, thanks for being a big supporter of P&P!

Seated amongst the parents at the front table are Otis Watson, Comerica Bank who
 provides private funds for P&P and Greg Collins, Executive Director of San Francisco Achievers.

 Sitting at the rear table is P&P Advisory Board Member Casey Neuburger, 
Director of Human Resources at Hotel Nikko, Rashiada Nirobe, 
Workforce Development Consultant, The Lillith Group and 
 Hassan Iravani, Regional Director of Lori's Diners and Sears Fine Food,
 and a P&P parent. Students were placed on internships at the Fairmont Hotel,
 Marriott, Grand Hyatt, Lori's Diner, and Sears Fine Food!

SUMMER TIME FUN!

Chef Yaku prepares the students for a fun-filled learning experience.

Yes, they must take notes!

Everyone is focused on the task at hand!

One of our rising stars! The students are given recipes and then left 

alone to bring them to life!

P&P students work well as a team.

Meredyth Haas, former Director of Development at the Bayview YMCA and a 

Pastry Chef was thrilled to bake with the students. They baked

 cookies and made an Ice Cream Cake for the graduation.

The students were excited about making cookies but, more importantly, eating them!

The cookies vanished each time a batch was taken from the oven. YUMMY!

SUMMER GRADUATION!

I'm listening as Chef highlights the student's achievements as 

 During the summer session, 20 plus hours allows them to

graduate and receive a P&P Apron. Many come back to

 the program during the school year to get more

training and experience. 

Family and friends stand in line to enjoy the food prepared

 by the graduating students!

 P&P students were presented with Program Certificates of Achievement and a goodie bag 

provided by Shakirah Simley, Community Program Manage,r with BiRite Market far

 left standing next to me and far-right, Sarah Arndt, Community Outreach Assistant, also

 with BiRite. In each one of the sturdy bags was  their book Eat Good Food, a Grocer's

 Guide to Shopping, Cooking, and Creating Community through Food, a $25.00

 Gift Card to BiRite and some delicious eatables. 

Emanuel Brueh, Human Resource Director, Park Central Hotel, Cristian Rodriquez, P&P graduate, Casey Neuburger, Human Resource Director, Hotel Nikko, Michele Gaul, Regional Director of Human Resources, Fairmont Hotel, and Marcelo Salinas, Executive Chef at Park Central Hotel. Members of the Primed & Prepped Advisory Board visited City College of San Francisco. While in the cafeteria, we saw one of our graduates who are still very active in the program.

Primed & Prepped Program 

 January 3 - May 11, 2017

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

4:00 pm-6:30 pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMED & PREPPED, CONTACT KELLY ARMSTRONG AT THE BAYVIEW YMCA (415) 822-7728 OR EMAIL KARMSTRONG@YMCASF.ORG.