Southwest Baltimore restaurant providing “meals with meaning” adds to carryout/delivery services, welcomes students to training program
Groundwork Kitchen, the home of Paul’s Place’s culinary arts training program and restaurant located at 925 Washington Boulevard in Baltimore City’s Pigtown community, will welcome its first cohort of students today. The restaurant, which opened in late July and is named as a nod to those who work through the ranks of a kitchen from the ground up, also announced it will open its dining room for in-person dining beginning October 13th.
“Today marks an exciting chapter for the students who will walk through our doors,” said William McLennan, executive director of Paul’s Place. “We celebrate this new beginning and look ahead with anticipation to their graduation when they will be able to support Baltimore’s hospitality industry and economy.”
Groundwork Kitchen is a 14,000-square-foot building housing both a restaurant and training facilities where persons aged “18 to 80” will learn front-of-house and back-of-house skills from a dedicated staff including Shavonya Bracken, who will serve as Training Chef. Chef Bracken brings over a decade of experience in the industry having led the catering service division for Richardson Farms before joining Chartwells Higher Education as a Food Production Manager and Retail Assistant Director for UMBC. Guest chefs from across the area will also support the training.
The students will partake in the free 12-week program operated by Paul’s Place and founded on the nation-wide initiative of FareStart’s Catalyst Kitchens, a proven model implemented in nearly 60 other facilities across the country. Groundwork Kitchen utilizes four integral program components: culinary skills training, life skills training, hands-on experience, and individualized case management support and coaching throughout training, job placement, and for six months after graduation. Upon graduation, all students will earn industry-recognized credentials.
“We had an incredibly successful initial recruitment period in which we had nearly 100 applicants,” said Ellen Levy, Groundwork Kitchen Program Director, who oversees recruitment, case management services and job placement and retention services for the training program. “It reinforced to us that there is a real interest and need for a workforce development program like this. At the same time and equally as important to fulfilling our mission is the restaurant, and with the onboarding of this first cohort, we’re ready to welcome diners for the first time!”
Groundwork Kitchen opened July 20th offering carryout and delivery services. It has since expanded its services to include catering.
“We’ve seen a great response to the restaurant in its first two months,” said Groundwork Kitchen’s Executive Chef Kimberly Triplett. “The addition of the students, who will apply what they are learning in the program to the restaurant, provides the opportunity for us to welcome and introduce ‘meals with meaning’ to the community.”
Beginning October 13th, Groundwork Kitchen’s dining room will be open Wednesday through Saturday
from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Carryout will be available Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Catering will be available Tuesday through Sunday.
It is anticipated that Paul’s Place will provide 122 jobs and nearly $12.2 million in annual economic activity to the City of Baltimore, according to an economic impact study the organization commissioned by Sage Policy Group in 2018.
Those interested in applying for the program or placing a carryout/delivery order can do so through Groundwork Kitchen’s new website at: http://groundworkkitchen.com/.
ABOUT PAUL’S PLACE
Paul’s Place is a catalyst and leader for change, improving the quality of life in the Washington Village/Pigtown neighborhood and the surrounding Southwest Baltimore communities. Paul’s Place provides programs, services, and support that strengthen individuals and families, fostering hope, personal dignity and growth. For more information on Paul’s Place, visit www.paulsplaceoutreach.org.
