The Economic Development Authority (EDA) of James City County (JCC) is proud to partner with Thomas Nelson Community College (TNCC) as they expand their current workforce development programming to offer ChefsGO 1.0. In partnership with Williamsburg area chefs and restaurants, TNCC is offering this unique opportunity to students interested in stepping into the restaurant, commercial, and non-commercial food service industries.
ChefsGO 1.0 is a pilot training program designed to introduce the culinary arts to students 18 years old and older. Participants will receive a certificate following eight weeks of classroom and kitchen training taught by renowned local chefs, followed by four months of paid work experience in one of several participating local restaurants. This program is limited to 15 students, who will graduate in August. The tuition is $1,500, but scholarships will be available.
Classes for ChefsGO 1.0 are interactive and intensive, teaching students the basic fundamentals of a full service restaurant. Students will be introduced to everything from knife skills to preparing sauces and soups, proper kitchen sanitation, food storage and much more.
The JCC EDA authorized $5,000 to assist the funding of the program. Other program partners include the City of Williamsburg Economic Development Authority and the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association. Robin Carson is the coordinator of ChefsGO 1.0 and is also a director on the JCC EDA. Carson will seek certification for the program from the American Culinary Federation following the pilot.
Applicants are not required to have cooking skills or restaurant experience. Applications are available online and a mandatory orientation will be held on Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. at the TNCC Workforce Center located at 4135 Ironbound Road. Students who have questions should visit TNCC’s website or contact Sherri Thrift at 757-897-3462 or by email at thrifts@tncc.edu.