Evening features gourmet menu planned, created by culinary program for homeless
San Diego CA– On Thursday, June 26, the participants of St. Vincent de Paul’s Freddie Evarkiou Culinary Arts Program want to treat you to a Taste of the Village in a unique culinary and get-to-know the Village opportunity. Taste of the Village will feature a three-course gourmet menu designed and prepared by the students of St. Vincent de Paul’s Culinary Arts Program, along with an insider’s tour of three other vital programs, including the medical clinic, Children’s Area and C15 Transitional Housing Building. The evening includes an appearance from a special guest.
“It’s a delicious way to get to know St. Vincent’s culinary program and other dynamic and vital programs that provide myriad ways to support the diverse homeless population in San Diego,” said Diane Stumph, interim president and CEO of Father Joe’s Villages. “We’re proud to give an insider’s glimpse into our Culinary Arts Program, an often overlooked skills training course that moves homeless from the streets into careers.”
The Culinary Arts Program began 12 years ago as a partnership with City College, but split from that partnership amicably two years later. Over the years, and in an effort to keep pace with the rigorous curriculum of culinary education programs throughout the globe, the program has seen variations in the body of study, but always focused on best preparing students for the stress and rigors of a professional kitchen.
With nearly 85 percent of graduates earning a paid position at some of San Diego’s (and America’s) best restaurants, including Bertrand at Mr. A’s, the Hyatt, the Sheraton and the W, the Freddie Evarkiou Culinary Arts Program is just one example of the comprehensive programs available to help clients transition from homelessness to careers. Donations to Father Joe’s Villages and its partner agencies help make it possible for today’s homeless and working poor to envision and create a career in the culinary and other professional worlds.
Taste of the Village’s menu will include avocado mousse-filled tomatoes, seafood stuffed tenderloin and champagne, all planned and prepared by students from St. Vincent’s culinary training program. Tickets to the June 26 event can be purchased online [Link] or by calling (619) 446-2108.
For more information on other services and programs, visit www.neighbor.org.
ABOUT FATHER JOE’S VILLAGES/ST. VINCENT DE PAUL VILLAGE
As Southern California’s largest residential homeless services provider, Father Joe’s Villages and partner agency St. Vincent de Paul Village have been empowering people to achieve self-sufficiency for over 62 years. What started as a small chapel serving San Diego’s impoverished has grown into a cutting-edge provider of innovative housing programs and services. Father Joe’s Villages and St. Vincent de Paul Village prepare up to 3,000 meals and provide a continuum of care to nearly 1,500 individuals every day—from infants and adolescents to adults and seniors. This includes over 200 children and over 200 military veterans. As industry thought-leaders, the two agencies offer innovative solutions to address the complex needs of the homeless, regardless of age, race, culture or beliefs. The organizations’ primary goal is to transform lives and end the cycle of homelessness. To this end they provide housing, healthcare, food, clothing, education, job training and child development in an internationally modeled “one-stop-shop” approach. The organizations’ mission is made possible only through the efforts of compassionate staff, dedicated volunteers, and generous public and private donors. For more information, please visit: http://www.neighbor.org.