The Prep Table:
A culinary Pre-Employment Training for prospective workers
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The Pacific Northwest Hospitality Training Program is currently taking interest applications from persons considering starting a culinary career with a union hospitality employer.
The Application Process
Step one: Read all the information about the program so you understand the commitment. This program is designed to lead directly to employment. Our team is also offering two, duplicate, online informational sessions to provide interested persons with additional informational and an opportunity to get questions answered. No need to let us know you are coming-just show up. These are offered online via Teams; simply click on the date at the appropriate time and the Teams link will open on your device.
Tuesday, June 17 - 3:00-4:00 pm
Friday, June 27 - 10:00-11:00 am
Step two: Interested persons should complete the interest form by June 27 for priority consideration.
Step three: Check your email and phone for messages from our team to arrange a brief screening call with you to discuss your interest in the program. Screening calls will start the week of June 30.
Step four: Depending on the results of the screening call, our team member will invite you to a mandatory Orientation held in early July.
Step five: At the Orientation, we will ensure you are eligible to work in the United States to ensure there will be no bumps with starting employment.
Step six: Invitations will be extended to participants to begin the program on July 21.
The Prep Table is a pre-employment training meant for those who are currently unemployed and interested in working in a commercial kitchen in an entry-level role with a unionized employer.
This is a pilot training program developed in partnership with UNITE HERE! Local 8, the hospitality union, and unionized employers in Seattle.
This pilot program will be taught in English; future offerings will be in other languages. Intermediate English fluency is recommended to safely communicate with co-workers and take direction from supervisors.
Working in a commercial kitchen is physically demanding. If standing for long periods—often up to eight hours—is difficult for you, this career may present challenges. Kitchen roles also require a mix of physical skills: fine motor skills for tasks like dicing vegetables or measuring ingredients precisely, and gross motor skills for lifting and carrying heavy items.
Our training program includes instruction on proper body mechanics to help prepare participants for the physical demands of the job and promote long-term safety and success in the kitchen.
Over the years, our union partner UNITE HERE! Local 8, has fought hard for and won:
· Living Wages
· Job Security
· A Voice on the Job
· Respect in the Workplace
· Affordable Family Health Insurance Paid by the Employer
The Training Program’s mission is to provide just-in-time training for incumbent and prospective employees to meet the needs of our employer partners.
Culinary positions at partner employers start at an average of $25 an hour. Benefits include health, prescription, vision, dental, pension, disability, and member assistance. Eligibility depends on employer and hours worked.
The Prep Table Culinary Training is intended for those looking to start working in a commercial kitchen in an entry-level position. This training includes more than culinary skills. It will also cover culinary math topics like recipe scaling and conversions, internal customer service, body mechanics, and job search assistance, including informational interviews.
Goals of Training
· Participants gain entry-level skills and abilities needed to be successful as an entry-level culinary worker at a union property.
· Participants will develop strong communication skills to work effectively with back-of-house team members. Training will focus on maintaining a positive attitude, being flexible and adaptable, and staying composed under pressure—key traits for success in the fast-paced, high-energy environment of a commercial kitchen.
· Participants will gain skills to edit and tailor their resume culinary roles, participate in interviewing workshops, complete applications with Local 8 partner employers, as well as participate in onsite interviews with employers.
· All participants will obtain a Washington State food worker card.
The program is currently scheduled to run from July 21 to August 1.
Participants should plan to arrive at 8:00 am. The program will run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. A stipend will be provided to completers which accounts for training time, screening interview, and orientation.
The program will take place at two locations in the SODO neighborhood of Seattle.
