FareStart offers free culinary training to the homeless.
The city of Seattle uses an out-of-the-box approach to helping its homeless population. From the homeless-run and distributed publication "Real Change" to user-managed shelters, involving the homeless in the organizations that seek to help them is a Seattle tradition. Taking the model to a new level is the culinary training and work-placement program, FareStart. Not only does FareStart train the homeless in culinary arts, it serves as a fine dining restaurant that gives the homeless a chance to make a living while they learn a craft.
Organization
The FareStart mission is a "culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals."
This model places disadvantaged participants in the driver's seat, allowing them to skip demoralizing handouts and earn a fee for a service rendered. All proceeds from the restaurant go back to the organization and help to maintain the program and fill the needs of its participants.
Hours and Fare
Save for weekly Thursday dinner services, FareStart is open Monday through Friday for lunch only. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The menu changes, but soup, salads and sandwiches are constants and salmon is always on the menu. Make sure to ask about the daily special.
Guest Chef Night
Every Thursday, a local chef hosts a special dinner service. Reservations are helpful and the need grows with the popularity of the visiting chef. Dinner service consists of three courses, designed and planned by the guest chef and prepared by the students. As of June 2010, the cost is $24.95 per person.
Tags: culinary training