The first group of 10 Hispanic students has graduated from Bishop State’s Adult Education "Culinary Skills with a Latin Flavor" program. The 12-week program provided integrated education and training to Spanish-speaking students who express long-term interest in careers in the food industry.
Students earned three national certificates: kitchen cook, restaurant server, and breakfast attendant by the American Hotel and Lodging Educatonal Institute. Students also earned the Mobile County Food Handler’s permit. These courses provided individuals who are interested in becoming an entrepreneur through the food industry with additional job prospects and income for their families all while enriching the cuisine flavors of our community.
Additional courses will be offered in the future for interested students. This effort responds to a need in the Hispanic community to not only create opportunities for the students but also to help meet the need for hospitality staff in this region. In addition, the participants will be able to prepare international food from Latin America and contribute to the international flavors of our community.
The project was initiated by partners of Javier-Calametti, LLC, with a competitive award grant from Mobile United and the support of the Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast. Bishop State's Akareem Spears and Dewanda Davis coordinated the class which was taught by Chef Shelia Osborn-Beck. All of the material and instruction was offered in Spanish. Nailim Sanchez helped coordinate this program and did the Spanish translations during the 12-week course.
For more information about this program, contact Bishop State's Adult Education Department at 251-662-5370 or adulteducation@bishop.edu. You can also contact Leida Javier-Ferrell, Ph.D., President HABAGC and President Javier-Calametti, LLC at 251-533-2995 or email Drljavier@comast.net.