The Culinary Education Center (CEC), which teaches essential cooking, nutrition and food safety skills, opened a new culinary training and certification center on Monday, October 19, at 33-51 62nd Street in Woodside, Queens.
The new facility will expand access to free job training programs, industry-recognized certifications and career growth opportunities for hospitality and dining workers in Queens and throughout New York City. In addition, they reinforce the CEC’s mission to open paths to new careers and promote economic development.
CEC programs combine hands-on classes in fundamental culinary techniques with specialized training in nutrition, food safety, kitchen operations and workforce readiness. The center will help respond to the growing demand for qualified professionals in the food service sector, including institutional dining rooms, restaurants, bars, delicatessens, airports, executive dining facilities, sports venues and other establishments.
“I am grateful for this program because it is helping me fulfill my dream: one day I want to open my own family restaurant,” said Cristian Cuevas, one of the students. «They are willing to teach you and help you develop your full potential so that you can become the best person you can be. “They will help you fulfill your dream.”
Key features of the new facility include modern training kitchens and classrooms, designed to provide hands-on training in culinary techniques, food safety, nutrition, kitchen operations and professional development.
“There is something special about giving a space a new purpose, especially when that purpose is to create new possibilities for people. We are incredibly proud to collaborate with the Culinary Education Center to create a place where culinary professionals can learn, develop their skills and imagine an even better future for themselves and their families,” said Cindy Noble, Chief Human Resources Officer at Compass Group North America. “This is what can be achieved when workers, employers and the community come together with a shared commitment to helping people get ahead.”
Through this facility in Woodside, workers will be able to learn new skills, earn industry-recognized certifications, advance their careers and respond to the changing needs of the dining sector in New York City.
The inauguration reaffirmed CEC and UNITE HERE Local 100’s commitment to training a highly skilled workforce and creating new opportunities for workers of all backgrounds to grow professionally and improve their economic situation.
«The opening of this new center represents much more than a building. It represents an investment in the hard-working people who keep the hospitality and dining industry going every day. For years, we have fought to ensure that workers have access to better opportunities, better jobs and higher wages. Queens is one of the most diverse and hardworking communities in the country, and we are proud to bring this investment to a borough that reflects the resilience, talent and determination of the workers we represent,” said José Maldonado, president of UNITE HERE Local 100. “Every student who walks through these doors is building a better future for themselves, their family and our industry. “This center demonstrates what can be achieved when unions, industry and the community come together to invest in workers.”
Several local elected officials attended the inauguration, including U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, state Assemblymembers Steven Raga and Jessica González-Rojas, and state Sen. John Liu. Also present were Aber Kawas, candidate for state Senate for District 12, and Brian Romero, candidate for District 34.
