About C-CAP
About C-CAP
C-CAP alumni and Co-Chair Marcus Samuelsson talk about the impact that C-CAP has made in their lives
We create economic mobility through the hospitality industry for a diverse generation changing the world.
We are a national nonprofit that creates economic mobility for students and alumni through the hospitality industry. Annually, 23,000 C-CAP students are enrolled in our program, which includes hospitality and culinary education, college scholarships, jobs and career development opportunities.
Founded in 1990 by culinary educator and author Richard Grausman and co-chaired by world-renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson, we serve communities across the entire state of Arizona, Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Long Island, Newark, Philadelphia, Maryland and Washington D.C. To date, we have awarded $73 million in college scholarships and uplifted 370,000 students — they are transforming our world today.
Our History
In 1990, cookbook author and educator Richard Grausman piloted a program in twelve New York City high schools to teach French cooking in Home Economics classes. His intention was to teach American youth about the satisfaction and value of home cooking. The schools were all inner-city high schools filled with underserved students. Grausman soon realized that too many of these students lacked job skills or college prospects. What they needed was preparation for jobs with a future, like those in the culinary industry.
To fulfill this need, Grausman created the nonprofit Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP). His goal was to enhance the culinary arts curriculum in public schools and better prepare underserved students for college and career opportunities in the restaurant and hospitality industry. C-CAP has operated continuously for over 30 years and has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of young people.
C-CAP was founded on my love for French cooking and my desire to help others. Little did I know that the combination would change the lives of so many young people. What pleases me most is to see our graduates, with successful careers, giving back in their own way.” - Richard Grausman