Last month, I was invited to attend Ignite: C-CAP Firing up Tomorrow’s Chefs at The Dorrance H. Hamilton Enterprise Center for Culinary Arts. Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) has been working with public high schools in the area (& across the country!) for 25 years to prepare underserved students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industries. I was so impressed with the goals of the organization (because like, seriously, the cause is great), so I was thrilled to attend.
Vicki Grant, Philadelphia Region Program Director, and Keri Fisher, Culinary Coordinator, gushed over the students, sharing that the Philadelphia program is one of the strongest in the country. They partner with 21 high schools in Philadelphia, Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware counties and work with students who want study to be chefs or work in tourism. The money raised at the event goes straight into a scholarship fund, and it was so amazing to see all of the students in action! 53 local students volunteered to work the event – whether they were working the drink station, playing in the band, or cooking right alongside big name chefs at their work stations (like those you can learn more about here). It was really amazing to see!
We had braised short ribs and mushroom risotto from Brûlée Catering, scallop noodles and herbed potato chips from Ela, chocolate caramel tarts and chocolate nutella cheesecake from 12th St. Catering, and some yummy bites from the Community College of Philadelphia, Evergreen Cheese, and even C-CAP Alumni. My favorites were the house-smoked salmon with sour cream, potato, chive, and egg yolk from Blackfish (so unique) and the gorgonzola, speck, and fig grilled cheese from Alla Spina (basically, heaven).
If you’re looking for a new cause to get behind, check out the future events and competitions C-CAP will be hosting in our area. I hope you all have a nice, short week at work and get to spend tons of time with your family over the holidays. xx
Disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to this event. I truly love the cause, so, all opinions are my own.
