Through the Kitchen Door has provided basic culinary training to nearly 200 women and youth in Montgomery County. About 20 participants have moved on to the advanced paid-training level, learning and earning as they work.
In addition to ingredients donated by Whole Foods Market of the Washington area and gifts from others, the program is kept afloat by money earned catering selected events.
The program's chief executive, Liesel Flashenberg, says it is meeting a community need and continues to grow. "We are always looking for support to continue and expand the training," she says. "With so much public attention on at-risk youth and soaring obesity rates among recent immigrants and children . . . we would like to see it operating on a much larger scale."
For more information about Through the Kitchen Door, contact Flashenberg at 301-657-1157 or www.kitchendoor.org. Chef Jose Andres of Oyamel Cocina Mexicana, 2250 B Crystal Drive, Arlington, will hold a fundraiser at his restaurant for Through the Kitchen Door on May 10, with three seatings. For information and reservations, call 703-413-2288.Menu prices will be charged with 40 percent of the proceeds going to Through the Kitchen Door.
