DC Central Kitchen

There are a number of REALLY GREAT organizations here in the DC area that are doing work to address hunger issues.  Today I want to talk about DC Central Kitchen.

DC Central Kitchen puts into practice the saying "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime."  One of their signature programs is the Culinary Job Training program that helps homeless, unemployed, underemployed, and previously incarcerated individuals learn both the "hard" and "soft" skills that are needed to work in a commercial kitchen.  Graduates of the program are also assisted in finding a job, so that their new skills are not wasted.

And this is only one of their programs.  They have their own in-house catering company that employs graduates of the Culinary Job Training program, they participate with DC colleges in the Campus Kitchens project, they have a food recycling program, and utilize efficiencies to distribute meals to other local social services organizations at a lower cost than if those organizations had to prepare the meals on their own.

AND...

Their annual fundraiser is coming up, with discount tickets on sale through Friday.  Here is the email that I got this morning:

60 Restaurants, 5 Battling Chefs, 
ONE Fight Against Hunger

The Capital Food Fight is less than 6 weeks away!
On Wednesday, November 11, you can sample food and beverage from 60 of DC's best restaurants, watch live battles between 5 of the area’s hottest chefs, and see national food celebrities hosting the event.
The early discount ends Friday, so act now to save $25 on your tickets: http://capitalfoodfight2009.eventbrite.com/

AND--as if you needed any more reason--it's all for a great cause. The event has raised over 1 MILLION dollars for our efforts to combat hunger and create opportunity.
See you there!

Chairman & Host Jose Andres Chef/Owner, ThinkFoodGroup and Host of PBS-TV's Made In Spain Co-Chair Ted Leonsis Majority Owner of the Washington Capitals Co-Host Anthony Bourdain Author and Host of Travel Channel's No Reservations Honorary Co-Chairs Sen. John Kerry Sen. Frank Lautenberg Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Rep. James McGovern

Battling Chefs Mike Isabella Michael Mina Tracy O'Brady Barton Seaver Bryan Voltaggio Judges Ted Allen Host of Food Networks's Chopped Eric Ripert Executive Chef, Le Bernardin Carla Hall Top Chef Finalist and Owner of Alchemy Caterers

Wednesday, November 11 @ 6:00pm Ronald Reagan Building Pennsylvania Avenue & 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004