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Colorado culinary students earn while they learn in apprenticeship program

Posted at 4:30 AM, Jun 22, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-22 08:13:47-04
LITTLETON, Colo. — A long-running Colorado culinary training program that offers an affordable way for students to prepare for a profession, which can be difficult and expensive to break into, is accepting applications.
 
The American Culinary Federation Colorado Chefs Association (ACFCCAApprenticeship Program provides schooling and hands-on paid experience under the direction of qualified chefs. ACFCCA is currently enrolling students for the program's fall semester.
 
The program has been around for almost 40 years and has trained thousands of culinary apprentices to help them land jobs in the culinary industry. The two-year training is approved by the American Culinary Federation Education Institute and the U.S. Department of Labor. Tuition is just under $7,000. Classroom training is held once a week at Metropolitan State College of Denver, and on-the-job paid training takes place the rest of the week under the guidance of a mentor in a professional kitchen.
 
Denver7 caught up with an apprentice in the program and an executive chef at the Club at Ravenna in Littleton.
 
“You have to teach them and mentor them and you look for that passion and drive, because you know they are willing to put in the time," said Executive Chef at the Club at Ravenna Christopher Moore.

"The work experience that you get is invaluable," said sous chef apprentice Conner Brodeur. “You’re seeing the whole process of the dish to the end result, so it’s pretty cool.”