Culinary Job Training

Sonoma Family Meal is the only tuition-free culinary job training program in Sonoma County. It is a bilingual program designed for low-income individuals facing barriers to employment. The program offers more than just an entry point, it equips students with a strong foundation in culinary techniques and essential life skills. Our goal is to empower students to grow into leadership roles, mentor future chefs, and help foster positive environment.

Graduates are connected with fair-wage employment opportunities throughout Sonoma County’s food and restaurant industries.

Sonoma Family Meal es el único programa de capacitación culinaria sin costo de matrícula en el condado de Sonoma. Es un programa bilingüe diseñado para personas de bajos ingresos que enfrentan barreras para acceder al empleo. El programa ofrece más que solo una entrada al mundo culinario: proporciona a los estudiantes una base sólida en técnicas culinarias y habilidades esenciales para la vida. Nuestro objetivo es empoderar a los estudiantes para que asuman roles de liderazgo, orienten a futuros chefs y contribuyan a crear un ambiente de trabajo positivo.

Los graduados son conectados con oportunidades de empleo con salarios justos en las industrias de alimentos y restaurantes del condado de Sonoma.

 

Alumni Spotlight: Jules

Our Culinary Job Training Program provides:

  • 6-week bilingual immersive culinary training program

  • Complete knife set and uniform

  • Financial literacy and work readiness skills

  • Weekly stipend

  • Connection to wraparound services

  • Servsafe food handler certification

  • Assistance with job placement

Nuestro Programa de Capacitación Culinaria ofrece:

  • Programa intensivo de capacitación culinaria bilingüe de 6 semanas

  • Juego completo de cuchillos y uniforme

  • Educación financiera y habilidades para la preparación laboral

  • Estipendio semanal

  • Conexión con servicios integrales de apoyo

  • Certificación de manipulador de alimentos ServSafe

  • Asistencia con la colocación laboral

Post-graduation, students are connected to fare-wage employment in the food service industry across Sonoma County:

Farmhouse Inn

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SingleThread

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Kendall-Jackson

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Palooza Kenwood

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The Living Room

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Spinster Sisters

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Hog Island Oysters

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Sonoma Valley Unified School District

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Biotic Ferments

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Oliver's Market

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Whole Foods

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Bijou

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Petaluma City Schools

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Stellina Pronto

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Sarmentine

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Bay Laurel Culinary

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Dillon Beach Resort

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Chef's Warehouse

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Buffalo Wild Wings

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Petaluma People Services Center

Farmhouse Inn — SingleThread — Kendall-Jackson — Palooza Kenwood — The Living Room — Spinster Sisters — Hog Island Oysters — Sonoma Valley Unified School District — Biotic Ferments — Oliver's Market — Whole Foods — Bijou — Petaluma City Schools — Stellina Pronto — Sarmentine — Bay Laurel Culinary — Dillon Beach Resort — Chef's Warehouse — Buffalo Wild Wings — Petaluma People Services Center

 

Meet Our Program Graduates

Alex, 2024 Graduate

A proud graduate of our 3rd culinary job training cohort, Alex was immediately hired to continue working with the Sonoma Family Meal kitchen staff, and we were so grateful to have him on board. He spent the past year sharpening his knife skills, becoming a standout colleague, and cooking up some of everyone’s favorite family meals. In June 2025, he was hired by the prestigious Big Sky Resort in Montana for an exciting new chapter, and we couldn’t be prouder.

McKendy, 2024 Graduate

McKendy was one of the first Haitian students we served through our 2nd cohort. He came to the United States to find a better life for his family and found Sonoma Family Meal when he was taking English classes at the Petaluma McDowell Family Resource Center. Before the program, he was never able to get a job due to lack of training and resources. But after graduating from SFM’s CJT program, he quickly secured a job at Bay Laurel Culinary, a local catering company, where he was already promoted from Dishwasher to full-time Line Cook.

Doris, 2023 Graduate

Meet Doris, one of our incredible culinary students! From Peru to Sonoma County, Doris has brought her vibrant spirit and culinary magic. Creator of our delicious SFM Peruvian rice pudding, Doris’s passion for cooking blossomed during her adventures through Europe. She dreams of opening a Peruvian restaurant, sharing the tastes and traditions of her homeland with our community. She currently works at Dillon Beach Resort in Bodega Bay as a Prep Cook.

Haydee, 2025 Graduate

Meet Haydee, one of the talented culinary students from our 4th cohort. Originally from El Salvador, she’s passionate about bringing authentic Salvadoran cuisine to the community and hopes to one day open a restaurant with her sister. In the meantime, Haydee delighted the SFM community with her famous pupusas, and is now working as a Baker at Sarmentine.

Andrew, 2025 Graduate

A star in the kitchen, Andrew is passionate about bringing flavors to life. His love for cooking started in childhood, spending summers in the kitchen with his grandma, mastering her cherished Italian recipes. Inspired by her traditions, he’s now pursuing his dream of becoming a chef, and was recently hired as a Prep Cook at Hog Island Oyster Co.

Edith, 2023 Graduate

Hailing from Oaxaca, Mexico, Edith was a stay-at-home mom who loved to cook and make food for her church in Rohnert Park. She was referred to us by Cura, excelled in our program, and got a job at Three Leaves Foods right after graduation!

Ashley, 2025 Graduate

Ashley came to us as a referral from Burbank Housing. She had prior front-of-house experience, but never felt confident enough to step foot in the kitchen, despite her curiosity. When we noticed how quickly Ashley stood out in our program, we knew we wanted her on staff. Since hiring her to our team, Ashley has become our right-hand-woman for everything from programs to social enterprise.