Culinary Training Program (2011 LGAA)

City of White Plains (Winner)
County: Westchester County
Population: 50,000 +
City Hall: (914) 422-1378

The "White Plains Works: Culinary Training Program" was developed to build and sustain a stronger City of White Plains and create economic opportunities through a natural partnership among the robust downtown restaurant and culinary industry with culinary job training and development for low-income, unskilled, out-of-school youth. The White Plains hospitality industry is rapidly growing and a natural match for workforce development was apparent.

One of the most innovative qualities of the program was the support provided to both the youth who were entering into a new employment opportunity and the businesses which were provided with a better trained entry level workforce to reduce turnover. The program is staffed by a chef, who is dually trained as a youth development professional, as well as a clinical social worker, who monitored and supported both the youth and the businesses through the field internship process. The White Plains Youth Bureau has successfully implemented the program three times and has developed a replicable template. The cornerstone of the Program is the Advisory Committee which was established by and comprised of youth employment professionals and culinary industry representatives.

This Program has positively impacted the community by providing career training and employment opportunities for the City of White Plains low-income, unskilled, out-of-school youth and providing them a pathway to achieve economic self-sufficiency. In addition, White Plains Works provides a skilled and competent workforce for its local hospitality industry which is rapidly growing downtown.

Through the White Plains Works: Culinary Training Program, the City of White Plains unemployment rate has declined for a population that traditionally faced significant barriers to sustaining employment, which has a direct impact on the economic health of our city. At the same time, the available labor pool of skilled entry level workers has increased, which directly supports the economic vibrancy of the restaurant and entertainment center of White Plains.

Partners contributing to the success of this program include: The White Plains Business Improvement District; Memorial United Methodist; the White Plains Housing Authority and the Westchester Community Foundation. In addition, Recovery Act funds provided financial resources and local restaurants and hotels such as Crowne Plaza, Applebee's and the Melting Pot provided field internship opportunities.