
PROGRAM DETAILS
At Sprouts Chef Training, we equip youth to rise from hardship through culinary training and job placement. Youth are paired with a chef mentor and case manager to develop the skills needed to secure and maintain a culinary job. Graduates use these entry-level jobs to kickstart culinary careers, pay for education, or pursue new industries. Since 2012, dozens of young adults have landed first-time, competitive jobs in the modern restaurant industry.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
No experience in the restaurant industry is required.
To join our program you must:
- Be 16-24 years old
- Have the desire to:
- Become a chef OR work a culinary job to pay for your next step in life
- Have a working knowledge of English (Intermediate ACTFL level)
- Be willing to devote 12 hours MINIMUM per week to Sprouts
- For a duration of 8 weeks (96 total hours)
- Live in the Bay Area in stable housing
- Have access to transportation
The ideal candidate:
- Has passion for food and cooking
- Demonstrates enthusiasm, teamwork, focus and vision
Have a question? Email us at sprouts@sproutscheftraining.org!
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
- Apply to Sprouts Chef Training program directly on our website using our online application
- Sprouts will invite qualifying applicants to a virtual interview
- Qualifying candidates will be invited to a restaurant trial day
- Qualifying candidates will be accepted to the internship
A four-hour shift for the intern with the dedicated mentor chef at the host restaurant. This shift allows the chef to assess whether the intern is a good fit for the restaurant and for the intern to make sure that they can commit to this new work structure and environment.
- Chef Trainees attend a virtual orientation to cover internships goals plus programs
- Youth attend a 60-minute money management workshop
- Sprouts helps Chef Trainees complete their Food Handlers Certification
- Runs two to six months
- Typically two, eight-hour shifts per week
- Mentor chef and kitchen crew teaches Chef Trainee kitchen basics, such as knife skills, food preparation, food handling and storage, and plating.
Sprouts supports the intern throughout the internship, checking in several times a week. This allows us to track the intern’s progress, assisting them with any challenges or personal issues. Sprouts has regular contact with the mentor chef and other personal advisors to make sure the intern is progressing and adjusting well to the kitchen environment.
We provide support to Chef Trainees as they look for culinary jobs post-internship. From providing tips, writing recommendations, and reaching out to chefs in our network – we are committed to post-internship success.
TIMELINE
GET IN TOUCH
mailing address
South San Francisco 94080