Program Participant

Program Participant

Culinary training and work experience program

The Food Services and Hospitality Leadership Program is a Toronto based program by Owlware Ltd.

We assist the disAbility community with their career paths in the food industry & help companies lead the way to more inclusive hiring.

Do you have a passion for cooking?

Interested in learning how to prepare and cook healthy, affordable and
nutritious food for yourself and others?

Interested in pursuing a job in the food service industry?

The Program

Taking place at ‘The Stop’ in Wychwood Barns Toronto, The ‘Hospitality and Food Services Leadership Program’ is a certificate program that offers Torontontians of all disabilities and backgrounds an immersive learning and work experience in the field
of ‘Food & Hospitality’.

What We Provide

• 
  Entry- Level food prep training in a industry standard kitchen
• 
  Certifications in First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, HACCP and Food Handlers
• 
  Potential post-program job trials
• 
  Stock (FIFO)

• 
  Customer service training
• 
  Pre-employment workshops, mentoring, and outreach support
• 
  On-site job coaching and support

Qualifications

All candidates should bring with them a multitude of skills or work experience and
an interest in pursuing a career in the Food Industry

• 
  Self- disclosed disability
• 
  A minimum of 18 years old at the time of registration
• 
  A resident of Ontario and legally entitled to work in Canada

You still qualify if you are…

• 
  An ODSP or an Employment Ontario recipient

Apply Now

Submit your resume and a brief statement as to why you would be a great candidate for the program. Please submit to april@owlware.com

THE STORY

Our Instructor and Program

A successful chef for over 20 years in Toronto, Chef Smiley has years of experience delivering superior corporate catering and experience across multiple fine dining restaurants in the city.

In 2012, Chef Smiley was a victim of gun violence leading his journey to paraplegia. After a long road of recovery, Smiley went right back to work, feeding and teaching our students in the Toronto public school system.

Through the collaboration of Owlware Ltd’s 20+ years in uplifting the disability community, the ‘Food & Hospitality Leadership Program’ was developed to provide the disAbility community with basic entry level culinary skills and certification. Trainees acquire employment skills and also learn how to feed themselves nutritious and nourishing food.

Using The Stop’s kitchen at the Wychwood Barns, a charitable and community hub addressing food insecurity, the outcome of this program is to enable persons with disabilities an opportunity to excel basic industry kitchen skills, develop healthy cooking habits, and work with restaurants in the local BIA’s of Toronto.

“The most profound part of this experience is working with other disabled individuals and observing their growth and helping them find purpose in work.On a personal level it has improved my morale, my health and has given me purpose to work again.”  – Chef Smiley

TESTIMONIALS

• 
  Barry S.
  Participant
  Doing this program has taught me many things about how to be patient with yourself as a
  disabled person, because the industry is not always there for everybody who is disabled. But
  this program gave me the confidence to go out there and make a lifestyle and get a job.
  Read more
• 
  Aldene
  Participant
  This program was a very good program. I did it for six weeks and I landed myself a job.
  Read more
• 
  Graduate Roomate
  Support Worker
  I live with two graduates and they are over the moon with pride. I’ve seen so much growth in
  both of their lives throughout the course of this program. I’ve seen transferable skills in terms of
  their ability in the kitchen. And I see so much confidence and personal growth when it comes to
  the ability to do a job interview. My roommate has landed a position… so this is incredible from
  my perspective.
  Read more
• 
  Julia B. & Andrew C.
  Participants
  I would like to thank Chef for this awesome session this year. He was very kind….
  It was just a great program and I really enjoyed it.
  Read more
• 
  Valerie. M
  Mother of participant Maddie M.
  This is a wonderful program, especially for people really keen on different kinds of food skills….
  It helped upgrade qualifications and gave the experience of working with another chef.
  Read more
• 
  Teresa B.
  Mother participan Julia B.
  It was great for Julia, she loved it, and she was happy every time she came into this building
  Read more
• 
  Sister of Participant Andrew C.
  This is such an incredible incredible program. My brother Andrew had such an amazing
  experience. He’s met amazing people, everyones been so supportive, he’s learned so many
  great skills… I know he is going to go on to do great things with the skills he’s learned from
  Owlware.
  Read more

Partnered With

This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.