The idea for such an initiative was born a year ago. “It’s a project that we decided to launch because we have a lot of apprentices who didn’t have the chance to develop their culinary skills,” says the organization’s director of administration, Myriam. From Coussergues. As much for a future job as when they find themselves in an apartment and have to cook for themselves.”
The fitting out of the kitchen, which began last April, required an investment of $400,000. Pleins Rayons has not received any government subsidies. All of this amount comes from donations from foundations and businesses.
“The kitchen is 50% functional. There is only a few pieces of equipment missing to be 100% operational,” she specifies.
The social inclusion organization Pleins Rayons has equipped itself with a state-of-the-art kitchen. (Stéphane Champagne/La Voix de l’Est)
Larger kitchen activities will begin in December. The kitchen can accommodate up to 10 apprentices. These will be supervised by two specialized educators.
As with other Peins Rayons projects, this one is aimed at people with intellectual disabilities, autism or mental health issues. The clientele is approximately 60% French-speaking and 40% English-speaking.
Multiple spinoffs
In addition to the positive impact for the apprentice chefs, who will be supervised by a chef teacher, the project will also have an impact in the community.
In fact, the 1,200 square foot kitchen, which meets the strict standards of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec (MAPAQ), will make it possible to process food, i.e. farmers’ surpluses. .
The fruit of all this work will be donated to food banks in the region. “We also want to form partnerships with primary schools and English-speaking organizations,” says Myriam De Coussergues.
The kitchen will also be used to make ready-to-go meals. “The apprentices will have real experience like in a business. They will have to respect quality standards and deadlines for the preparation of dishes,” argues the director of administration.
Some participants will work in the kitchen, while others will handle customer service. Apart from the basic notions of cooking, participants will become familiar with the notions of hygiene and sanitation. They will also receive eight weeks of training specific to indoor service via the Brome-Missisquoi Campus.
Another branch of the project will revolve around a Cree indigenous community. “Thanks to their partnership, elementary school students will collect boreal medicinal herbs. They will be sent to Pleins Rayons, indicates Myriam De Coussergues. We will use them to make medicinal teas, which will be sold to the public.”
In nine years, the social inclusion organization has placed around a hundred people in companies. Eighty-two of them are still employed.
