About C-CAP
Job Training & Internships
Our Job Training and Internship Program provides intensive training in kitchen skills including knife cuts, food and equipment identification, safety and sanitation, as well as soft skills, such as communication, time management, and problem solving. Training is followed by a paid internship in a professional kitchen, where students gain critical job skills and experiences.
“A valuable lesson I learned during Job Training was about professionalism – punctuality, attendance, reliability, and dependability should be applied when working at my job.”
– Aniyah Molokwu, C-CAP Student
Cooking Competitions
High school students train for months for the annual C-CAP Cooking Competitions. The challenge: prepare classic French dishes to demonstrate students’ culinary, safety and sanitation, and presentation skills in a timed competition. The reward: a chance to win scholarships to attend college/post-secondary schools around the nation.
“Being in the preliminary and final competitions helped me understand the importance of a hard work ethic and extensive commitment, which has helped me tremendously in college. I believe that if you spend a lot of hours dedicating yourself to a goal, which in my case was practicing for the competition, your hard work and commitment will pay off.”
– Zainab Ganiyu, C-CAP Alum
Scholarships
Many of our students dream of attending culinary school, but lack the means to make it possible. C-CAP is proud to run the largest independent culinary/hospitality scholarship program in the country, allowing these students to further their education without incurring unmanageable debt.
“I never thought I would have the chance to join C-CAP, an organization of people who invested not only their money, but also their time in the lives of so many students. I am just now coming down from the clouds after getting a scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America!”
– Prince Anthony De La Cruz, C-CAP Alum
We are so thankful for the generosity and support of our post-secondary educational partners!
Apprenticeships
C-CAP is one of the few Nationally Registered Apprenticeship Intermediaries with the Department of Labor. We source, train and mentor students for one-year paid apprenticeships with hospitality and culinary employers across the country. Want more information? Contact Jill Smith on our staff.
"I was helping a woman that looked like me, create a legacy for another generation of children who look like me, and that just felt so right."
– Angie Kingston, C-CAP Alum
College Advising
Going to college can feel overwhelming, which is why C-CAP’s college advising program is critical. We work with our students to navigate the application process and incur minimal debt, teach them how to research and apply for financial aid, and guide them through graduation.
“If it weren’t for C-CAP, I probably would not have had the opportunity to say I am a proud graduate with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from New York City College of Technology.”
– Adriana Mandelburger, C-CAP Alum
Lifetime Career Guidance
Once you’re in C-CAP, you’re in C-CAP for life!
To support our students and alumni as they climb the career ladder, we host career exploration events, such as job shadows, financial and business guidance, chef panels, field trips, and community networking events. Additionally, we are expanding our alumni scholarship opportunities. Our alumni have the chance to study in France, embark on a culinary experience with acclaimed chefs in Japan or Spain, and further their education.
“C-CAP has helped me open my eyes to the real world. I learned how to create positive bonds with chefs, teachers, and other students. I know that if I’m ever in trouble or not sure about something, I can rely on C-CAP advisors to help me through each and every step.”
– Nicholas Kandros, C-CAP Alum
Teacher Support
C-CAP provides support for high school culinary teachers to refresh and deepen their skills and to encourage high-quality classroom instruction through our National Teachers Conference, teacher trainings, and classroom demonstrations. In addition, C-CAP coordinates donations from industry sponsors to supply much-needed equipment and ingredients to under-resourced classrooms.
“Without the connections and support of C-CAP, our programs would be much less effective. We can only do so much as teachers, but together we are creating opportunities for students who may not have been able to get their foot in the door or been encouraged to try.”
– Laura Molite, C-CAP Teacher