Kitchen of Purpose

Kitchen of Purpose uses the power of food to change lives.

Through our bilingual Culinary Training Program  (8 weeks of instruction + a  4-week paid internship), students graduate with industry certifications and are placed in quality jobs with higher entry wages and career pathways. 

Our training also includes job readiness, social services, and English classes to eliminate barriers and set graduates up for success in the DMV’s exciting F & B industry

Meet Andres

Originally from Bolivia,  Andres, age 24,  struggled to find a good job here in the United States.  By enrolling in Kitchen of Purpose’s bilingual culinary training program, Andres turned his passion for cooking into a career.  

Now a proud graduate, Andres works as a Line Cook at the Heron Hotel in Old Town Alexandria, earning $21.50 an hour.

Support a Dream! 

Through hands-on vocational and technical training, Kitchen of Purpose opens pathways to quality jobs in the food and beverage industry. Alexandria residents make up  20%-25% of our training student population, depending on the year.

From day one, we support their success. Every student receives essential knife kits and chef uniforms to use throughout training and keep as they launch their careers in the food and beverage industry.

You can help make this possible. A gift of $25, $50, $100, or $250 equips a new class of students with the tools they need to succeed in our kitchen—and far beyond it.

Watch the power of our no-cost Culinary Training Program: