St. Louis County Government:

Press release from the St. Louis County Government:

November 18, 2021

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO (November 18, 2021) - County Executive Dr. Sam Page will tour Propel Kitchens, a new non profit community kitchen and work force development program led by people of color who are driven to disrupt area poverty and food insecurity. Propel Kitchens will utilize culinary training and nutrition education as tools to help residents in the St. Louis region overcome barriers to viable employment and healthy nutrition.

Propel Kitchens is kicking off its recruitment process for a 16 week certificate program in culinary arts training. This program aims to train people of all ages for careers in the culinary industry and is tuition free if participants apply through the St. Louis County Workforce Development program or the Family Workforce Center of America.

Propel Kitchens first client is Bon Appetit, the food service provider for Washington University. The company has made a commitment to hiring graduates of the Propel Kitchens program.

The initial investments of nearly $1.5 million came from government, corporate and philanthropic organizations, including the St. Louis County Port Authority, US Bank CDC and the Missouri Foundation for Health.

Where: Propel Kitchens at Carter Commons, 6746 Page Avenue, St. Louis 63133

When: November 19 - 8:30 a.m. - County Executive tours kitchen and classroom space
9:30 a.m. - Press availability at Propel Kitchens

Who: Dr. Sam Page , County Executive
Yvonne Sparks, president of Propel Kitchens
Chef Martin Lopez, director of culinary operations for Propel Kitchens
Chris Krehmeyer, Beyond Housing and board chair of Propel Kitchens
David Murphy, regional director of Bon Appetit
Gregory Laposa, director of St. Louis County Workforce Development

This press release was produced by the St. Louis County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.