Holiday Internships for P&P Students
During the Holiday Season, I reached out to Mann J. Kim of Lori's Diner seeking internships for some of our students. Mr. Kim is a huge supporter of Primed & Prepped and responded with a resounding YES!
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| I took this photo of Mann J Kim, and Jeong Kim, his wife after having dinner at his new location Capellini, in San Mateo. Mr. Kim told me that this location is also open to my students for internships. It's really beautiful, and the Italian food is quite delicious. Drop by for dinner one night to see for yourself! |
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| It was my lucky day to catch two of the young workers on break! |
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| The students are working as busser and enjoying every minute of it! |
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These students were Primed & Prepped for work quickly becoming an asset to Sears Fine Food during the busy Holiday Season in Downtown
Union Square! Can I say proud moment! |
Before the Internship...
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| Before the internship, there was a hiring packet that needed to be addressed! |
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| The students were so fortunate to have Hassan Iravani, Regional Director of Lori's Diner, conducting the Job Orientation! |
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| Mr. Iravani was extremely patient and thorough as he explained every page in the hiring packet. The students were paying close attention to his every word. |
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| After the Orientation was completed, the students enjoyed a wonderful meal! |
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| P&P students had a fantastic holiday meal at Hahn's Hibachi Korean Food. During the meal, we discussed what their first day on the job would be like. There was so much enthusiasm at this table that night! |
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| This was a special time for me with the students because I knew they were ready for work. I'm so grateful to Mr. Iravani and Mr, Kim for making this happen and most importantly to the students for following through! |
Chef Yaku is a graduate from California Culinary Academy and works as the Interim Executive Chef/Executive Sous chef for St. Francis Yacht Club
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| Chef Yaku had P&P students undivided attention as he shared his career path to becoming a Chef. |
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| Chef Yaku's message was one of empowerment. He told the students to find out what was important to them and their communities and stay focused on seeing it through. He used himself as an example explaining how important it is to him to take out time to come and speak to students like them! |
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He talked about his defeat on the Food Network's Cut Throat Kitchen and how he is looking forward to going back for the second round in January 2016. We will keep you posted when it airs! Chef Yaku, Primed & Prepped will be rooting for you!
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| Our very own inagural P&P graduate attends CCSF Culinary Program. He was excited to see us during our annual field trip to the college. The students enjoyed eating dinner before the offical tour took place. |
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Chef Ng, Culinary Instructor since 1991, is the perfect host making sure to explain what it takes to get into the program and
what it takes to succeed. Reading, Writing, and Math. Hhm...can't get away from it no matter what field you are interested in! |
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| Chef Berlin was on hand to quiz the students as Chef Ng was pointing out different equipment and supplies! |
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| Chef Ng, thanks again for a delightful and informational tour! We plan on sending more students to your program! |
4th Annual Black Student Union hosted by Senator Mark Leno
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| Primed & Prepped participated in the 4th Annual Black Student Union hosted by Senator Mark Leno in partnership with the San Francisco Alliance of Black School Educators. Thanks to Emily Wade-Thompson, Supervisor of Family and Community Engagement, P&P was allowed to put 300 program flyers in all the resource folders prepared for the students. |
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| It was an amazing event seeing all these young people and a few of them where our P&P students! |
The International Culinary Center
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| Rachael Thompson, Director of Admissions, giving the history of the International Culinary Center |
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Captivated by the wall of fame. They were counting how many of the faces they've
seen on the Food Network. They also mentioned that one day one of their faces would be on that wall! |
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In between the tour,they were treated to a delicious dinner. They were so pleased
they could go back for seconds...and they did! |
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| The potato pancakes with smoked salmon top with sour cream was delicious |
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| P&P students enjoyed watching the culinary students hard at work |
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This is a pastry student that was very involved in his work, but he did look up to
acknowledge the students. |
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They were so captivated by the artistry of the pastries and, even more, delighted that the
students had made cookies for them! |
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| They learned that a pastry chef has to be precise with ingredients whereas culinary it isn't as important |
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| There were many classrooms to visit and interact with! |
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| The final stop is a cooking demonstration that they couldn't wait to see! |
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| Chef Bruno Ponsot, is amazing. He was actually brought to the US by the legendary French chef Paul Bocuse to work at a restaurant he opened in Orlando. He's been with The International Culinary Center since 2010 Standing patiently while everyone was being seated. |
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| P&P students enjoyed Chef Bruno so much that I had to pull them away from him because it was getting late. The students were full of questions and Chef Bruno loved it! |
KITCHEN TOOLS AND GADGETS!
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| Chef Berlin had the students take all the kitchen tools, gadgets, pots, and pans out of the pantry. |
Every professional kitchen requires a wide variety of tools - some basic, some very specific. Can openers, colanders, cheese graters, disher scoops, film and foil cutters, garlic press, potato masher, and mandolins are just a few.
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| The students neatly arranged all the items |
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| After everything was neatly placed, they had to learn the names and usage of each item |
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| The students had a great time seeing who could name the most tools |
KNIFE SKILLS
In this hands-on knife skills class, students learn the fundamental techniques of knife skills. They are given step-by-step instructions on how to grasp a knife safely and body position. Each student is given a whole chicken to cut-up and afterward cook it.
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| The first step to great food is great knife skills! |
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| Good knife skills not only save time and effort, they keep you safe as well. |
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| I beginning to believe that this is Chef Berlin's favorite class. He has just as much fun as the students! |
Lights On After-School Resource Fair
Lights On After School Resource Fair consisted of various community organizations throughout Bayview Hunter Point tabling their programs. It was the perfect opportunity to network, invite youth, teens, transitional aged youth & families to learn about all the amazing resources BVHP has to offer.
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| P&P students used the Lights On Event to practice their serving and busser skills. |
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| P&P students work well as a team! |
Let's Talk About Health
Bette Vargas, Fitness Coach gave an incredible talk about "Sugar, the Sweet Poison"
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| Students were taught how to make Smoothies as an alternative to drinking sodas! |
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| Yum! Almond Milk, Frozen Strawberries, Blueberries, and Raspberries! |
Primed & Prepped Program Sessions
January 26, 2016- May 12, 2016
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
4:00-6:30 pm
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMED & PREPPED CONTACT KELLY ARMSTRONG AT THE BAYVIEW YMCA (415) 822-7728 OR EMAIL KARMSTRONG@YMCASF.ORG.
