Love to cook?

Why not prepare a job in food preparation and cooking with this 12 week career starter program?

FoodWorks: The Maryland Food Bank’s Culinary Training Series

Train for a new career while helping hungry Marylanders in need! This 12-week workforce development program is designed to give students interested in the food service industry on-the-job training experience in the Maryland Food Bank's Bauer Community Kitchen, a state-of-the-art culinary facility.

The unique course teaches an array of cooking techniques, including knife cuts, recipe conversions, and commercial equipment use, as well as food safety and sanitation standards. As part of their real world experience, students will use donated food and locally-grown fresh ingredients to prepare a variety of meals from scratch for Maryland Food Bank Kids Supper Club and Summer Club programs, which are served daily in after school and summer enrichment programs.

What do FoodWorks students get?
  • 12 weeks professional training – Students learn basic cooking techniques, discipline in the workplace, and professionalism.
  • ServSafe® certification – This certificate confirms to prospective employers that the graduates are experts in food safety.
  • Job placement – The food bank works to find full-time employment for FoodWorks graduates.
  • A chef’s starter kit – Upon graduation each student receives a set of chef’s whites and a professional-grade knife kit to launch into a new career.
With guidance and support from program staff, FoodWorks graduates have been hired at some of the region’s leading venues in the hotel and restaurant industry. FoodWorks graduates earn an average of $13 per hour—well above the current minimum wage.

Program Location:
Charles T. Bauer Community Kitchen at the Maryland Food Bank
2200 Halethorpe Farms Road
Halethorpe, MD 21227

FoodWorks Courses

HSL 044 - FoodWorks Basic Culinary I

Learn to read, understand and apply recipes, execute cooking techniques, and apply safe cooking temperatures. Students will begin to learn principles of food handling safety in preparation to take the ServSafe® Food Safety Manager Certification exam. This course is the first of six courses in the FoodWorks Basic Culinary program.

Must also take HLS 045 - Basic Culinary I Practicum.

Total Cost: $1,550
(Tuition: $35; Fees: $1,515)

HSL 045 - FoodWorks Basic Culinary I Practicum

Practice hands on the skills learned in FoodWorks Basic Culinary I.

Pre-requisites for this class are HSL 044 & HSL 045 and must be taken together.

Total Cost: $196
(Tuition: $15; Fees: $181)

HSL 046 - FoodWorks Basic Culinary II

Students will learn fabrication; various food and spice identification, and proper uses; and various international food characteristics and preparation techniques. This is the 2nd class of the of six in the FoodWorks Basic Culinary Series and must be taking with HSL 047, FoodWorks Basic Culinary II Practicum.

Pre-requisites for this class are HSL 044 & HSL 045.

Total Cost: $1,550
(Tuition: $35; Fees: $1,515)

HSL 047 - FoodWorks Basic Culinary II Practicum

Gain hands on practice of skills learned in FoodWorks  Basic Culinary II.

Pre-requisites for this class are HSL 046 & HSL 047 and must be taken together.

Total Cost: $197
(Tuition: $115; Fees: $182)

HSL 048 - FoodWorks Basic Culinary III

Students will learn fabrication; various food and spice identification, and proper uses; and various international food characteristics and preparation techniques. Students will also finalize resumes, and identify and apply for culinary positions. This class is 5 of 6 in the FoodWorks Basic Culinary Series and must be taking with HSL 049, FoodWorks Basic Culinary Practicum III.

Pre-requisites for this class are HSL 046 & HSL 047.

Total Cost: $1,550
(Tuition: $35; Fees: $1,515)

HSL 049 - FoodWorks Basic Culinary III Practicum

This course is designed to give students hands on practice of skills learned in FoodWorks Basic Culinary III.

Pre-requisites for this class are HSL 048 & HSL 049 and must be taken together.

Total Cost: $197
(Tuition: $115; Fees: $182)


Watch for information sessions about Grant Funding for this program!

To register for an information session click this link or if you have questions about the program, contact Dr. Yumi Kim at 443.840.5840 or email 

ykim2@ccbcmd.edu.