PARMA, Ohio — Soon after keeping task titles this sort of as sous chef, govt chef and typical supervisor in excess of the several years, Parma resident Patrick McCune is happy of his career’s latest title — West Facet Catholic Centre culinary arts teacher.
“Right just before I came right here, I was the normal supervisor for the Cuyahoga County Justice Heart, where by I operated all of their food items company and venue opportunities,” reported McCune, who just lately celebrated his a person-year anniversary with the West Facet Catholic Centre.
“I was searching for a little something distinct when I came across a task publishing for a culinary arts instructor.”
In addition to helping with food stuff, clothing, shelter, advocacy and a route to self-sufficiency, the West Aspect Catholic Center’s Culinary Academy provides a bridge to work for people experiencing the latest incarceration, drug and liquor troubles, or homelessness.
“They tried to begin the system for the duration of the final two-and-a-fifty percent several years, but couldn’t get the curriculum tied in collectively with the services,” McCune said. “So I established a curriculum and received the plan likely.
“We’ve had 5 eight-7 days classes, and we’re currently entering our sixth class.”

Parma resident Patrick McCune is the West Side Catholic Center culinary arts teacher. (Picture Courtesy of Patrick McCune)
Graduating major of his class with an associate’s diploma focused in culinary arts/chef instruction from the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts, McCune labored his way up from humble beginnings in the kitchen as a dish equipment operator, prep prepare dinner, line cook dinner and kitchen manager.
His love of meals stems from expanding up in a army house that moved all around the East Coastline. Usually on their possess, McCune and his siblings experienced to cook dinner for them selves.
That turned into a appreciate affair with food stuff preparation, which the chef now hopes to go along to his learners.
“In the program, we concentrate on functional kitchen expertise and culinary knowledge,” McCune stated. “The college students get a serve-safe certificate if they pass the test. And then I use my 35-moreover decades of practical experience in this article in the Cleveland spot to get them into internships for that eighth week, which functions like an prolonged task application and interview.
“They get to know the facility. The typical supervisors and chefs get to know the individual. What we hope for is at the finish of that 7 days, they are supplied total-time or portion-time work, what ever fits into their daily life. So far, it is been working good.”
In excess of the previous calendar year, the method has positioned graduates in the West Side Catholic Center’s Ohio Town Pizzeria, as very well as with the Compass Group, Hyde Park Cafe Group, Inexperienced Rooster Farms and Fahrenheit.
“These guys and gals are undertaking great,” McCune stated.
As much as having his culinary techniques in a various and very satisfying path, McCune is also executing wonderful, proudly providing back to the community.
“I’m in excess of the moon happy with the benefits,” McCune stated. “These adults — ages 18 to 80 — are the kinds who put their effort into the program. They’ve really altered their lives.
“It feels good to choose my skills, fulfill folks in which they are and give them some of my information to with any luck , send them on their way to some great employment chances.”
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