Alumni Spotlight
Meet the Root graduates who are thriving in their culinary careers and making a difference in their communities.
Meet Our Graduates
Our alumni are making their mark in various culinary roles across the food service industry.
Grace
Root Culinary Training Program Culinary Assistant
As we celebrate everything that our graduates have accomplished, we invite you to join our mission by donating today.
David
Root Community Kitchen Team Member, Shift Manager
As we celebrate everything that our graduates have accomplished, we invite you to join our mission by donating today.
Estiben
Root Community Kitchen Team Member
Estiben graduated from Root in 2023 and is a current member of Root's Community Kitchen Team. He works alongside CK team...
Cody
Root Community Kitchen Team Member
Cody graduated from Root's Culinary Training Program in 2020 and is currently a member of Root's Community Kitchen Team,...
Olly
Root Community Kitchen Team Member
Olly graduated from Root in January 2021 and is a current member of Root's Community Kitchen Team, supporting Root's ret...
Isaiah
Root Community Kitchen Team Member
After completing the training program in 2019, Isaiah went on to work in a local Salem seasonal spot, where he gained mo...
Mason
Root Community Kitchen Team Member
Mason graduated from Root in 2023 and is a current member of Root's Community Kitchen Team. He works alongside CK team m...
Mirelba
Root Community Kitchen Team Member
Mirelba graduated from Root in 2018 and is a current member of Root's Community Kitchen Team. She works alongside CK tea...
Fernando
Line cook, High School Graduate
Fernando, a September 2021 graduate of Root, did his externship at Ledger Restaurant in Salem in August and was immediat...
Evyan
College Student, Food Project Team Member
Evyan graduated from Root in 2021 and planned to return to college and hold part-time work on the side.
Jo Sylvester
Johnson and Wales Graduate
Jo graduated from Root in 2019 and knew he wanted to pursue additional formal culinary training with the goal of becomin...
Jireh
Conservation Law Foundation Development Staff, Outside Mind founder
Jireh is a January 2022 Root Graduate who chose to follow a non-culinary path after graduation.
Chanelle
Cook, Eurest Services, GE Riverworks
Chanelle graduated from Root in 2021. As a trainee, she did her externship at Lulu’s Pantry in Salem and was offered a j...
Lex
High School Graduate, Evan's Deli
Lex graduated from Root in 2022. After graduation, she went on to finish high school and worked part-time on the side at...
Eboni
Root Culinary and Program Assistant, 2021-2023
“Root has just made me feel so supported that I can do things on my own.”
Connor
Line cook at Longboards
Connor graduated from Root in 2019 and immediately started a part-time job in the dish pit at Longboards Restaurant &...
Hannah
Caregiver at CareOne
We recently met up for a coffee with Hannah, who has been working at CareOne as a caregiver since graduating from Root i...
Nate
Manager at Brewbox, 2020-2023
If you stopped in for coffee at Brew Box in Salem, over the last few years, chances are you have met Nathan, a 2019 Root...
Thomas
Artisan Baker at A&J King
Thomas graduated from Root in late 2019 and joined Root's kitchen team as a part-time baker for the Root Café while he w...
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Connect With UsOur Impact
Root's culinary training program continues to create meaningful results for our graduates and community.
Program Graduates
Young adults who have completed our comprehensive culinary training program.
Employment Rate
Graduates who secure employment or continue education after completing our program.
Training Hours
Hours of professional culinary and life skills training provided to each student.
Employer Partners
Local businesses that hire Root graduates and support our mission.
Support Our Mission
Your contribution helps us continue transforming lives through culinary training.
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