Dine well. Do good. It’s a simple motto that permeates the thinking, cooking and hospitality of Inspiration Kitchens, an East Garfield Park social enterprise that provides job training for individuals who have experienced poverty, homelessness or both.
Your appetite is a key factor in their ability to do all of that. As the name suggests, the kitchen is cooking. On Fridays and Saturdays, the dining room at 3504 W. Lake St. in Chicago is open for all to come enjoy the creations of their emerging chefs.
“It’s not just a learn how to cook program. Our ultimate goal is employment,” workforce development manager Eric Courts said. “The program is 12 weeks. The really basic stuff is the first four weeks. The second four weeks, they’re learning the restaurant menu. They’re working in the restaurant on Fridays as part of the class.”
Once students are working in the kitchen, they earn a salary. And there are wraparound services to help people get and stay on track.
“Not only are they learning how to cook or work in the kitchen, we’re also providing other resources, like they can do laundry here. Every day they get a chance to eat a meal before they leave, because in some cases it may be the only meals that they get. And if there’s food left, they’re able to take food home with them,” Courts said. “I’m really looking at the whole person – if they need eyeglasses, we’re able to make eyeglass referrals.”
Bus fare cards and gas cards help them get to the kitchen. Other job readiness lessons emphasize the importance of being on time, how to deal with coworkers and other skills.
After week eight, there is a graduation celebration and a transition to employment. Each graduate receives four more weeks of paid work either onsite or with a community partner.
“Everyone is leaving here with a resume. We have mock interview days where we invite our partners to come in and actually interview the students. Those have also translated into job opportunities for some depending on if they were hiring. It’s a real holistic approach,” said Courts.
“Our head chef now here at the restaurant, Antwain Lee, was a program graduate,” said Margot Niebes, associate director of external relations. Another graduate of the program now runs his own business called Professor Pizza. “He’s in this space that’s connected to Second City in Old Town. It’s really great pizza!”
Back in the dining room at Inspiration Kitchens, the menu started with Southern classics. Gumbo is always available, so is shrimp and grits and fried chicken. From there it branches out with burgers, salads and items created by the newly minted chefs. Two top sellers are The Green Line, a sandwich loaded with grilled veggies served on focaccia and El Cubano grilled chicken sandwich.
“Most Cuban sandwiches are ham and pork. We noticed that the community wasn’t eating a lot of pork products, so we did a chicken and turkey Cuban,” general manager of restaurant and operations Julio Gonzalez said.
The dining room is open on Fridays for lunch from 11a.m. – 2 p.m. And on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. with the full menu.
“We also offer brunch on Saturdays and it’s BYOB,” Gonzalez said.
Catering and private dining for up to 20 people is also available.
Inspiration Kitchens
Address: 3504 W. Lake St., Chicago
Menu & hours: inspirationkitchens.org/garfield-park-restaurant
To apply for the program: inspirationkitchens.org/job-training