MILFORD – July is Disability Pride Month.
The Milford chapter of the Delaware Food Bank wanted to recognize students enrolled in the food bank's Kitchen School for adults with intellectual disabilities, a 12-week program that provides students with culinary training.
Students took over the Milford store’s cafe to serve a barbecue lunch on July 24. Students prepared brisket, chicken and pork for the barbecue, and also prepared sides such as macaroni and cheese, green beans and coleslaw.
All proceeds raised from the luncheon were donated to the Food Bank's culinary training program.
Chef Sharisa Alexander is the Kitchen School’s Head Chef, where she works directly with students to help prepare them for future careers in the culinary industry.
“One of the things I love most is teaching kids new things,” Alexander said. “I try to teach them things that I haven't done in a long time. It's like a refresher for me.”
She teaches her students how to prepare a variety of dishes, but the learning goes beyond cooking.
Students learn how to properly clean kitchen equipment, how to punch their time cards, how to collaborate with others in the kitchen, and even how to prepare resumes and mock interviews in preparation for employment after school.
“Some of our students have a thirst for knowledge,” Alexander said, “so it makes teaching the curriculum really easy.”
Many of the students go on to work in the culinary industry around the state. For example, she plans to visit one of the program's first students who works at Harrington Racetrack and Casino.
“They love working and they're loyal employees,” Alexander said. “It's great to be able to tell them that.”
She enjoys introducing her students to new things.
“Seeing the joy on the children's faces, seeing them learn something and taste something they've never tasted before, brings me so much joy,” she added.
For more information about The Food Bank's Kitchen School, visit https://www.fbd.org/thekitchenschool/
