By Evelina Eskenazi | Director
Celebrating Our Final Culinary Training Class of 2024
As we wrap up 2024, we are thrilled to share the highlights of our last Culinary Training class of the year! In October, 17 students successfully graduated from our Basic Culinary Training program, led by the much-loved Chef Pantelis, our IEK-certified trainer. Chef Pantelis’ passion and expertise left a lasting impression on the students, many of whom feel the experience is very informative and a meaningful opportunity.
A Year of Achievement and Growth
This year has been a remarkable journey for Saffron Kitchen’s Culinary Training programs. Across three training sessions, spanning both our Basic and Advanced Culinary Training courses, we proudly celebrated 48 graduates. Each graduate represents a unique story of determination, resilience, and hope for a culinary future. These individuals are now equipped with the skills and confidence needed to embark on or advance their careers in the hospitality world.
One of our recent graduates, Rania, beautifully captured the spirit of our training program:
"I feel so happy. I was so happy studying the new skills, knowing new friends from everywhere, and in the last class I felt like I’m in my family. We cook together, we help each other, and I feel like I knew them from a long time ago."
Her words remind us of the power of community and the role our kitchen plays in bringing people together while fostering growth and friendship.
Holistic Support for Lasting Success
This year, we continued our strong partnership with Echo100plus to ensure a holistic approach to our training. Together, we provided students with comprehensive support, from navigating the job market to securing the necessary paperwork for employment. This collaborative effort is vital in helping our graduates achieve sustainable livelihoods and build stable futures.
Our student, Simba's journey highlights how holistic training turns aspirations into career opportunities
"I wanted to advance, because I was already in the industry. I wanted to have a better salary, learn some more knowledge. From a dishwasher I wanted to advance to be a chef to be a top chef. After I finished the training, they helped us a lot, the integration team. They helped me find a job in the hotel industry and I now possess some certifications that have opened my career path."
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the success of our graduates, we are already looking ahead to 2025. We remain committed to empowering more eager students, equipping them with life-changing skills, and supporting them in finding meaningful work opportunities.
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Your support helps us continue making a positive impact in the lives of our students. Together, we are creating opportunities, fostering community, and building brighter futures.
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