Introducing
Food Jobs Work
Food Jobs Work, Inc. is a culinary workforce development organization changing the lives of underemployed Arkansans through culinary training. Our students have experienced challenges such as justice involvement, poverty, homelessness, addiction or abuse. Since 2017, Food Jobs Work has graduated 105 students from our adult training program, closing the workforce participation gap and often opening doors to high-paying leadership positions.
Our innovative 12-week adult culinary workforce program immerses adults from all backgrounds into the culinary arts, blended with an intensive life skills curriculum that works to chip away any behaviors or beliefs holding them back. The course includes knife skills, sanitation, food production and catering skills, as well as certifications in food safety and customer service. A notable new addition is the “Restaurant Ready” credential by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. We currently have cohorts in Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
Through our social enterprise program, Comeback Kitchen, we offer catering for any event or occasion, with available delivery and event service or simple pickup. We are also launching a prepared meal service, including medically-tailored meals designed to support your health journey or that of a loved one. This social enterprise offers our students practical experience while supporting the operations of the nonprofit and helping the community.
NEW! The U.S. Department of Labor has approved Food Jobs Work, Inc. as an Apprenticeship Sponsor, starting with the Line Cook position. As our students graduate the core 12-week training program, they can continue their training in a paid position with continued support from both the employer and our instructors. Soon we will add apprenticeships for Kitchen Manager and Restaurant Manager, creating pathways for community professionals—including our own graduates—who want to move into management.
Changing Lives and Empowering Individuals
Our impactful 12-week program doesn’t just prepare our students for a job—it changes their lives. Graduates tell us they feel more empowered, able to work independently, and ready to lead others when called upon for a promotion.
Comeback Kitchen
Weekly Meal Program
Pick up a weekly selection of meals, soups, salads and more, and benefit our teaching program at the same time. Choose from healthy regular or oil-free/vegan options.
Our students get hands-on, chef-led training in this social enterprise kitchen operation.
Growing Arkansas’ Economy
Hospitality is the state’s second-largest industry and a major accelerator of economic development. Our program helps bolster this critical industry while closing the labor participation gap and fostering connections to other local industries.
Coming soon:
Comeback Kitchen
Meal Subscriptions
Featuring an Oil-Free/Plant-Based plan for those with medically-tailored meal requirements
Our students and staff at Comeback Kitchen will soon offer weekly meal subscriptions, cooked from scratch with whole ingredients. Sign up now to score one of our limited launch slots, dropping in January!
Our Oil-Free/Plant-Based plan is fully vegan with no added oil, limited sodium, and dietician-reviewed macros, prepared for anyone who needs or prefers that way of eating. Your physician may recommend this plan to target particular medical needs.
Want more traditional but healthy meals? Our Classic Balanced plan is still built with balance in mind. It limits fats, oils, and salt, while using animal products. If you are new to functional eating (and don’t have a medical recommendation for Oil-Free/Plant-Based), start here!
Each package has five entrées, a soup, two salads, and hummus with vegetable sticks, changing weekly and ready for pickup on Friday or Saturday. Family-style subscriptions are also available.
Every subscription helps train the next generation of culinary professionals, lifting our students from underemployment to stability.
Sign up here for early access, or email us at comebackkitchen@foodjobswork.org for more information.
share your knowledge, gain trained staff
Become an Employer Partner
Give back to the community in a meaningful way, with the opportunity to add trained talent to your own professional team. Join our Professional Advisory Council or become a Preferred Employer.
professional advisory council
This group of local professionals volunteers their time in our program and helps us determine industry needs for our curriculum. Come speak in a class, host a site visit for our students, or participate in our student cooking competitions.
Preferred Employers
Professional Advisory Council members who meet certain criteria (see at right) get early consideration as employers for our students upon graduation for placement as interns, employees, or apprentices.
criteria for preferred employers:
Not required to meet all criteria, but at least 6 of 8 should be met
- Engagement with Food Jobs Work (volunteering, etc.)
- History of employing Food Jobs Work grads
- Willingness to provide feedback
- Multiple locations
- Opportunities for advancement
- Low-barrier application process (short applications, no long surveys)
- Starting wage of at least $14/hr
- No background check
Training and Credentials Offered
Our innovative culinary workforce programs can get you on the path to success
“Restaurant Ready” Industry-Recognized Credential by the National Restaurant Association
Measurable Skills Gains in Culinary, Customer Service, and Work-Ready Areas
“First Impressions” Customer Service and “Deliberate Evolution” Leadership & Personal Growth Training
ServSafe Food Handler and Food Protection Manager Industry-Recognized Credentials
coming soon:
Community Education Classes
Learn culinary skills to impress friends and family in just one evening with our professional chefs.
Contact Us
let us know how we can work together
Prospective students: Please use the Student Interest & Registration Form