GARY COMER YOUTH CENTER PARTNERS WITH TRUTH BE TOLD
Apprentices in the Culinary Arts Program at Gary Comer Youth Center participated in a cooking demonstration with Chef Anthony Bernal of Truth Be Told Tavern. PHOTO BY TIA CAROL JONES.
TRUTH BE TOLD
By TIA CAROL JONES
had any questions. They responded, “No Chef.” When Bernal asked if they could fabricate a chicken themselves, they answered, “Yes, Chef.”
and Truth Be Told Restaurant. The culinary apprentices from the center are participants from the Francie Comer
Culinary Art Center. It was the first chef partnership to take place since the pandemic.
in the Urban Agriculture Program. Jones
first began participating last year and
decided to return because she loves the program.
can really see that, in the growing of the produce and seeing the produce. When people come out, they’re so excited to be
at our farmstand,” Jones said. “Seeing the progress of something you put into soil and grow become this delicious thing that feeds your body and nurtures your soul is just amazing.” The farmers brought a variety of what is grown -- daikon radishes, turnips, sugar snap peas, swiss chard, collard greens, kale, carrots and beets.
Gary Comer Youth Center offers since the center
opened in 2006. It is split into three tiers: Programming,
Catering and Meal Service. The meal service serves about 200 young people everyday, with an afternoon snack and supper during the school year and breakfast, lunch and a snack during the summer months.
Program Management at Gary Comer Youth Center, the enrichment programming is offered to all of the members, 6th grade to 12th grade. That programming serves
about 80 young people a year and is split into Cooking as a Life Skill and Cooking as a Career. The apprentices
who participated in the cooking demonstration are part of
the apprenticeship program. The pre-apprenticeship program has a one-year program for high school
students and a red shirt apprenticeship program with the Department of Labor and it’s a two-year program. The students in the two-year apprenticeship program earn
manager certification and learn about the hospitality industry. The goal is after that program those apprentices are placed in jobs.
in a pop-up shop at Truth Be Told that will feature
products made in the art program. The dish the apprentices and Bernal created will be on the menu at Truth Be Told until June 23rd. For more information about the Gary Comer Youth Center, visit garycomeryouthcenter.org. For more information about Truth Be Told, visit truthbetoldtavern. com.
Latest Stories
- CTU Gathers with Faith-based Leaders to Highlight Recent Tentative Agreement Wins for Students and Educators
- COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER KISHA MCCASKILL TAKES CENTER STAGE AS SOUTH SUBURBAN COMMUNITY UNITES FOR A GREENER FUTURE
- RICH TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR CALVIN JORDAN LEADS HEARTWARMING SPRING CELEBRATION FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES WITH “EASTER JAMBOREE” CELEBRATION
- Local Musician’s Career Spans 50 Years
- Have Questions About Money? The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office Can Help
Latest Podcast
STARR Community Services International, Inc.
