Federal Medical Center highlights culinary arts re-entry program

The Federal Medical Center held their quarterly community relations board meeting, highlighting their culinary arts program. 

Lexington, Ky (WTVQ): A winter wonderland, everything that you see here, is the work of the Lexington the Federal Medical Center Culinary Arts Re-entry program.  FMC held their quarterly community relations board meeting, highlighting their culinary arts program. For more than ten years this project has helped women to successfully return back to the community.

Candace Egbert, he Vocational Technology, Culinary Arts instructor, says, “I think that there’s just so much talent within these walls that people wouldn’t even realize.”

Community leaders gathered to admire, and enjoy all of the hard work these women displayed. Egbert says these ladies are getting opportunities they otherwise wouldn’t have. “It gives them an edge in the workforce,” she said. “A lot of these ladies have not had traditional jobs, so this is a starting point for them.”

The program offers several nationally accredited certifications, including a barista, catering and events. David Paul, the Warden for FMC, says in the last year the program has expanded to much more than just food, “now we’re adding the banquet and event planning.” Ultimately, “this is their resume,” he said.

“99% of the inmates that are incarcerated release back into society so they’re going to be our neighbors,” Paul said.

Some of the other programs FMC offers is building and trades, a G.E.D. program, and soon they’ll add a gardening project.