"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish,
and you feed him for a lifetime."

This proverb embodies the goals of our Abundant Life Kitchen culinary training program. 

The Abundant Life Kitchen Culinary Training Program, a partnership between Knox Area Rescue Ministries and Second Harvest Food Bank, is designed to give men and women in need an opportunity to improve their lives by training for employment in the food services industry.

The program includes 16 weeks of classroom and culinary lab training followed by a four-week internship.  Upon successful completion of the program, a student will have 640 training hours and be prepared for the ServSafe® exam, a food-safety training program and certification offered through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.  A typical day includes eight hours of classroom instruction, culinary labs and kitchen activities at the Knox Area Rescue Ministries location.
 

The program also includes a job readiness class, emphasizing:

• Time management
• Resume writing
• Job search and interviewing techniques
• Effective workplace communication
• Decision making
• Professional ethics
• Budgeting
• Assistance with internship and job placement

In addition, we offer Abundant Life Kitchen Catering, and are able to meet all your breakfast, brunch, luncheon and reception food services needs.  For more information about our catering services, please contact Tracy Hicks at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or 865.633.7671.

Food service is one of the fastest growing industries in America.  In a recent article, food preparers were listed among the top ten occupations with the largest projected growth from 2002-2012.  There are many opportunities for employment in this field locally.  Knoxville and the surrounding area have a diverse selection of restaurants, and many local companies have cafeterias, including  BWXT-Y12, Bechtel Jacobs,The University of Tennessee, Knox
County Schools, the Knoxville Convention Center and seven area hospitals.