Food Jobs Work

Recently, we've held several private dinner events for Arkansans wanting to share what we do at Food Jobs Work with their circles of influence. The attendees have volunteered, shared, and donated toward our training programs, and we just wanted to say a big THANK YOU for your support!

Part of the fun has been showing off our team's newest member, Chef Michael Jonas. His background in fine dining establishments on both coasts (one with a Michelin star) lends a great deal of skill to share with our students and clients. Chef Jonas will lead instruction and also launch our upcoming medically-tailored meal program.

If you are interested in hosting a private dinner to benefit Food Jobs Work, reach out to us at [email protected] for details.

If you are unable to attend Chef Andre Poirot's Celebration of Life service this afternoon at the Clinton Presidential Center, you can watch it live here at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, June 25.

Clinton Presidential Center Live

We are now taking applications for the Little Rock summer cohort of Food Jobs Work! If you have barriers to employment (recent incarceration, addiction, etc.) and can commit to 12 weeks of training, apply today! See first comment

We got busy and haven't had a chance to post the last few videos and pics from the Juneteenth festival in Pine Bluff last Thursday. What a great event! Here are the final participants and some extra goings-on from the event, including our own local instructor, Chef Tim Wasson.

It got dark by the time of our turn at 8 p.m. Many thanks to the Pine Bluff FIre Department for firing up their truck and using its side lamps to help Chef Tim make his dish!

We are devastated by the loss of our dear friend and volunteer, Chef Andre Poirot, but consoled by memories of him. Chef Andre was always a beacon of light wherever he was, and he chose to be with us—both here in Arkansas when he could work anywhere, and here with us at Food Jobs Work, helping to change the lives of our students.

Andre was always helping the people around him, even at the pinnacle of his career. Sometimes, he helped with just a smile and a joke. Other times, he invested hours and days benefiting others when it wasn't required of him.

In memory of Andre, I hope you will find your passion and use it to serve others. It's a great reminder for me.

-Christie Ison, Executive Director

Pictured: Andre volunteering as a judge at the 2014 Iron Chef competition at the Arkansas Hospitality Association Trade Show and Convention. More photos in the first comment, including his work with students.