DEAEF Partners to Teach Kids Culinary Arts and to Make Good Life Choices
DEA Educational Foundation, in partnership with the DEA Washington Division Office's (WDO) Operation Engage Year III, has been making remarkable strides by implementing a unique culinary program aimed at empowering youth to make positive life choices. The WDO funded the culinary program in Richmond, Virginia during Year II of Operation Engage and has now expanded to include a program in Prince George's County (PG County), Maryland at Andrew Jackson Academy, while continuing to support the Richmond program.
The Richmond program laid a solid foundation with the help of exceptional partners such as Dee Dee Anderson, Program Manager, Public Safety Program Community Youth and culinary experts from RVA C.O.O.K.S. and CHEF’s K.I.S.S., led by the talented Chef Sammy Davis. Chef Sammy’s dedication to working with youth in programs like this is focused on connecting with them through culinary arts to help them stay away from drugs and other negative decisions. Building on this success, the program in PG County is set to inspire and empower a new group of students through the transformative power of culinary arts.
The culinary program begins with an 8-week series of free culinary arts classes conducted in a safe and supportive environment. Students work alongside Chef Sammy and other professional chefs and mentors who create a positive peer-learning atmosphere. The classes focus on building culinary skills while also teaching students about resisting peer pressure and enhancing their self-confidence. By learning to cook, students gain valuable skills that can assist with job placement in the future, promoting long-term career readiness and self-sufficiency.
The kids learned to cook a variety of dishes, including chicken and noodles, Philly-style hoagies, French toast, vegan meals, and stuffed spinach with chicken breast. These diverse culinary experiences not only enhanced their cooking skills but also introduced them to different cuisines and dietary choices, broadening their culinary horizons.
Special guests DEA Agent Steve Murphy and Rosalind Pichardo speak with students at Richmond culinary classes.
The culinary program includes social-emotional learning components, taught by Dee Dee Anderson from the Richmond Police Department, where students are taught proper greetings, communication skills for inside and outside of the kitchen, conversation starters, and meal etiquette. These lessons are crucial in helping students develop interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, which are essential for personal and professional success.
In addition to the core curriculum, special guest speakers have attended the Richmond culinary classes to enrich the students’ experience. In May, DEA Agent Steve Murphy, renowned for his pivotal role in dismantling one of the largest and most violent international drug trafficking organizations, enthusiastically joined the students in the kitchen. Rolling up his sleeves, Steve immersed himself in the culinary activities, generously sharing anecdotes from his career with the eager students. His presence not only provided invaluable insights but also fostered deep connections with the young participants, emphasizing the tangible impact of making positive choices and steering clear of drugs. Additionally, Rosalind Pichardo, the driving force behind Operation Save Our City in Philadelphia and a prominent figure in drugs and violence prevention in the Kensington area, spoke at one of the classes, offering her expertise, support, and wisdom to the students.
The culinary programs in Richmond and PG County are more than just cooking classes. They are transformative experiences that empower students to make healthy choices, resist negative influences, and build brighter futures.
The culinary program culminates in activities that allow students to showcase their newly acquired skills. In Richmond, students demonstrated their culinary talents in various community events, which provided a platform to highlight their hard work and personal growth. At Andrew Jackson Academy in PG County, students will host a tasting session for their parents and program partners, celebrating their culinary achievements and the confidence they have gained. These events are more than just displays of cooking talent; they are celebrations of hard work, teamwork, and personal development.
At the end of the program, the students receive swag bags containing basic utensils, cookbooks featuring all the meals they cooked, and some of the older students even receive chef’s suits and outfits to wear to job interviews in the culinary field. This practical support has proven effective, as a few of the kids from last year’s program successfully secured jobs in kitchens, demonstrating the program's tangible impact on their futures.
The culinary programs in Richmond and PG County are more than just cooking classes. They are transformative experiences that empower students to make healthy choices, resist negative influences, and build brighter futures. With the support of the DEA Washington Division Office, the DEA Educational Foundation, and dedicated partners like Dee Dee Anderson and Chef Sammy, these programs are making meaningful differences in the lives of young people in both communities.
Moving forward, in Year IV of Operation Engage, the WDO and the DEAEF will continue to support two new sites for this program in the D.C. area. As the culinary programs continue to evolve and expand, they stand as testaments to the power of community collaboration and the positive impact of educational initiatives that combine life skills with professional development. The students in Richmond and PG County are not only learning to cook but also gaining the tools they need to lead successful, drug-free lives.
Updated Jul 11, 2024
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