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
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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! |
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| 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. |
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| 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! |
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| Can you see why this young lady was in seventh heaven? Andre Igudola is another one of her favorites! |
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| 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!
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| The Warrior Dancers were in the house helping to pass out lunches too! |
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| Yummy! |
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| Lunch is served. Each box also included 2-tangerines and a peppermint candy cane |
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| Chef Yaku chatted with the young people to find out if they enjoyed their lunch. Thumbs Up! |
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| During my brief encounter with Warriors Coach Steve Kerr, I found him very humble and funny. |
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| 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! |
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| 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
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| 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. |
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| Chef Yaku had a ball showing his son Angel how to place the green marshmallow trim! |
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| 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.
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| 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!!!! |
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| 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.
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
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| Chef Yaku carved the delectable Prime Rib that the students helped him prepare! |
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| The students did a FANTASTIC job decorating and displaying the food |
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| 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. |
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| The students and Chef received rave reviews for a great meal. |
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| 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 |
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| Chef Yaku giving the students of Thurgood Marshall an overview of the P&P Program |
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| The students were treated to a healthy breakfast and Q&A about the program. Two students joined the program! |
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| Chef Yaku gives a knife demonstration that all enjoy watching. He is magical with a knife! |
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| 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.
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| 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"
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| 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 |
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| 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! |
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| One of our P&P graduates joined Chef Yaku to demonstrate knife cutting skills. |
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| 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! |
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| 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!
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| For the past 3-years, City College of SF Culinary Instructor, Ronald Ng, has graciously hosted P&P, starting them off with dinner. |
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| The delicious dinner was prepared by the CCSF Culinary students. |
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| Chef Yaku takes a moment to share a few words of wisdom before beginning the tour |
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| 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
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| 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! |
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| 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. |
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| 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!
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| 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! |
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| 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 PARTYANNUAL 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!
 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,
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.
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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.
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| We are all so proud of the P&P student's accomplishments! |
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| 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.
 
His comments about how P&P changed his life were heartwarming.
He says, "I found a place where I fit in."
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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!
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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.
provides private funds for P&P and Greg Collins, Executive Director of San Francisco Achievers.
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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
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 ProgramJanuary 3 - May 11, 2017Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday4:00 pm-6:30 pmFOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMED & PREPPED, CONTACT KELLY ARMSTRONG AT THE BAYVIEW YMCA (415) 822-7728 OR EMAIL KARMSTRONG@YMCASF.ORG. |
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