Building Foundations

The DeKoven Center has operated a full-service kitchen facility for 175 years, first as an Episcopal college, then as a summer camp run by the sisters of the Community of St. Mary, and as a retreat center for the past 40 years. Our Building Foundations program had continued our kitchen’s legacy of service to the community.

Originally, our program aimed to transform lives and nourish our community by providing meals to families, children, and at-risk individuals who do not have regular access to healthy and affordable food. From 2022-2024 nearly 65,000 meals were served through our program and we partnered with local organizations like St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospitality Center, HALO, and the Bray Community Center to deliver nutritious and appetizing foods.

Our focus has now evolved to address another critical need in the community: providing job training and pathways to employment in the growing food service industry through our comprehensive teaching kitchen programs.

Teaching Kitchen

At the heart of our mission is our dynamic teaching kitchen, where we equip individuals with the skills and confidence to thrive in the food service industry. We offer two targeted programs: a foundational 2-day certification providing essential culinary skills and an immersive 2-week advanced program that delves into the intricacies of food service. Other benefits of joining our Teaching Kitchen Program include:

Other benefits of joining the Food for Change: Teaching Kitchen Program:

• Online tuition expenses covered for the program.

• Hands-on experience in an operating commercial kitchen.

• Students are provided with appropriate kitchen attire including apron, t-shirts, and cap.

Interested in learning more? Click the links below to request more information: