A program that teaches homeless people and at-risk youth how to cook has been so successful they need a new, larger home.
The North Shore Culinary School came to the City of North Vancouver's council Monday to ask if they could move into the disused horseshoe club building in Mahon Park.
Over the past four years, said director Don Guthro, the school has received 168 applications and has graduated 43 people through its six-month program, followed by a two-month internship -- all of it free to the students.
"The school's focus is on persons at risk -- youth or disadvantaged adults," he said. "The training provides them with employable skills that give them the confidence to adapt to the work environment, thus making the transition smoother back into the community. These students have gone on to work part time and full time in the hospitality industry."
Currently housed in the Lookout North Shore Housing Centre, Guthro said a larger, permanent space would mean the school could build a lab kitchen, office space, common space for events and an edible garden.
He did acknowledge that the building presented some challenges and may need retrofitting for gas or electrical service.
"We thought it would be a good fit, a win-win for both sides," Guthro said. "We are confident in the success of the culinary program and its students and ask the council for its blessing to move forward with this vision at Mahon Park."
"It's amazing the kind of really cool things that change people's lives that are going on right under your nose that we don't know about," remarked Coun. Craig Keating. "I think this is an amazing project that helps a lot of people get skills for the rest of their lives."
Council voted unanimously to order a staff report on the feasibility of the school using the building.
