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H.E.A.R.D. Culinary Employment Pathway Application


Please read before applying

This program is designed to help adults secure long-term employment in the culinary industry. Before starting your application, please review the expectations below to be sure this program is a good fit for you.

Who Should Apply

Applicants must:

  • Be 22 years or older

  • Be unemployed or underemployed and seeking long-term work

  • Have a strong interest in working in the food industry

  • Be reliable, punctual, and a clear communicator

  • Be a U.S. citizen or have legal authorization to work

  • Be willing to show up on time and work as part of a team
    (No prior kitchen experience required)

Due to staffing capacity and program structure, priority enrollment is given to Oakland residents. Applicants from outside Oakland may still be considered based on available space and program eligibility

Program Overview

  • 13-week paid program at $21/hour

  • Hands-on kitchen training followed by a paid internship

Start Date & Location

  • August 17th at 1:00 PM

  • First Presbyterian Church, 27th & Broadway, Downtown Oakland

Weeks 1–5: Kitchen Training

  • Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 1:00–5:00 PM

  • Paid bi-weekly

  • Training includes:

    • Kitchen and knife safety

    • Knife skills (dicing, chopping, julienne, and more)

    • Basic cooking techniques (sautéing, roasting, braising, and more)

    • Workplace soft skills, worker rights, wellness, and communication

    • Lunch Service - participants will cook a lunch service to get live experience of working in a restaurant kitchen.  This will be open to the public and a chance to cook for friends and family

Weeks 6–13: Paid Internship

  • Up to 24 hours per week

  • 192 total hours over up to 8 weeks

  • Internship placement is matched to your interests, goals, and schedule

Next Steps

  • After you submit your application, our Program Director will review it.
  • Within 2 business days, you will receive an email with your next steps.
  • Your email will include one of the following:
    • An invitation to schedule a 20-minute phone screening.
    • A request for more information about your application.
    • A notice that the program is not the right fit at this time.
  • Please check your email regularly, including your spam or junk folder, so you don't miss any updates.

  • After the phone screenings, selected applicants will attend a paid, in-person interview

  • 10 final participants will be admitted into the program

Please answer all application questions honestly and include a phone number where we can reach you.


Mandela Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status
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