I just had the best Paella for lunch! It wasn’t in Spain, or at a trendy restaurant in Portland: It was at the POIC Kitchen!
Over the years, when Joe McFerrin II, President & CEO of POIC + RAHS would ask students on the various campuses what they needed or wanted to have at school, he would consistently hear, “Good food!” Studies show that students with access to healthy foods do better in school – they “show-up,” both physically and mentally. Good food also makes people feel good. Food is love.
Fast forward to the summer of 2022 and the grand opening of the POIC Kitchen, a state of the art kitchen managed by renowned Chef Kiara Hardy, (check-out her “Kitchen Killa” website - a great idea for catering!), where she will be serving love together with Chef Duoshun Pledgure (also check-out his “Bearded Chef PDX”). During summer school, the Chefs were able to gently enter the process of providing breakfast and lunch to students. This fall they will be cooking for 550 students on all RAHS campuses! They will be providing delicious, fresh, local, and healthy meals cooked in the kitchen and expertly transported to each campus.
Food is love, and the POIC Kitchen will be feeding students that are hungry not just for food; but for mentorship, leadership, safe outlets for creative expression – and a pathway to living-wage career options.
The Kitchen is set-up to double as a culinary school with hands-on work stations and video technology for non-local speakers/teachers, and general sharing options. Chef Duoshun will be combining his love of teaching and cooking at the Culinary Academy that will train 40-60 people a year to allow them to enter the culinary business with some experience. They expect the academy to attract people in the community, as well as some older RAHS students. The academy will graduate trainees with confidence in their cooking abilities, and also provide exposure to business management, food photography, and farming among other culinary related areas.
After hearing some of the delicious menu items Chef Kiara is planning to serve this school year, I can guarantee the meals will be loved by the students! I’m glad the ninety-nine girlfriends grant could be a part of the POIC Kitchen serving love!
Elisa Hornecker, Liaison Volunteer