Culinary Group Names Homeward Bound as Model

Catalyst Kitchens, a national network of groups involved in culinary social enterprise, has named Homeward Bound of Marin as the 10th “model member” on its 59-member roster.

The change recognizes the job-training program at Fresh Starts Culinary Academy for demonstrating “best practices” that provide a successful model for developing programs.

Homeward Bound has been part of the Catalyst Kitchens network for 18 months and revamped the culinary curriculum last summer with input from the network. Fresh Starts Culinary Academy now enrolls 75 students annually in a 16-week, three-tiered training course. New students start every six to eight weeks.

“This recognition is testament to 14 years of job-training programs and food service social enterprises that have offered a springboard for meaningful employment and lasting change for many homeless and low-income people,” says Paul Fordham, deputy director for Homeward Bound.

Fresh Starts Culinary Academy operates as a partnership between Homeward Bound and the Marin County Office of Education’s Regional Occupation Program, accepting students from the community as well as residents of Homeward Bound programs.

The academy began informally in 2000, soon after the doors opened at New Beginnings Center, with three students learning from staff in the 500-square-foot kitchen also used to prepare meals for residents.

With the opening of the Next Key Center in 2008, the training program moved to a fully fitted 3,000-square-foot training kitchen where the crew also offers catering for events in The Key Room, an adjacent event space open to rental by the public.

As part of its evolution, the culinary academy last year formed a Community Advisory Board composed of local professionals. We thank the following members for their helpful contributions:

Patricia Borrego, Karen Cuneo and Lea del Pomo, Marin Employment Connection; Brenton Bostwick, La Boulange; Gabriel Castillo, Sonoma Latina Grill; Orann Crawford, program graduate; Michael Domer, Muscio’s and High Tech Burrito; John Foley, Foodie Daily; Karen Foley, Foodie Tout Inc.; Mark Kohtz, Tiburon Peninsula Club; Ron Patterson, Sysco Foods; Nanda Schorscke, Executive Dean, COM Indian Valley Campus, Workforce and Economic Development ; Lorenzo Wimmer, Kentfield Rehabilitation Hospital; and Dan Zaich, Marin County Office of Education Regional Occupation Program.