By Sue Tiffin

Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch?

The sixth season of SIRCH’s Cook It Up job training program which supports adults who want to work inrestaurants camps or start a food service is ready for the hungrypublic beginning March 10.

Cook It Up trainees have been learning menu planning reading and followingrecipes knife skills and serving skills for the past month and willhost a free lunch every Tuesday at Molly’s Bistro Bakery from noon to 2p.m. until May 5 beginning next week.
The first week’s menu created by Emily Boccitto Kim Gilmore and Kim Kasepchuk is Italian-themed. It offers an appetizer of prosciutto bruschetta or caesar salad an entree of the “world’s best lasagna” and a dessert of Italian cheesecake.

“The free three-course lunch is a genuine gift to the community from SIRCH” said Gena Robertson SIRCH’s executive director. “ It ’s a thank you for all your support. And it also gives our trainees a very authentic experience that they couldn’t find anywhere else. Part of the goal of Cook It Up is to help people feel connected while building skills confidence and a sense of community.”

Jay McIvor SIRCH’s food initiatives coordinator said “ Cook It Up trainees are so excited to share their new-found skills with the public … There’s enough food each week for 65 people so get there early.”

According to SIRCH by the end of the program this year 11 people will haveincreased knowledge enthusiasm and expertise about food service andcustomer service. Over the past five years of Cook It Up training SIRCH has graduated 34 people from the program with 89 per cent of graduates gaining employment.

The Cook It Up program is supported by Molly McInerny and Guy Dumas owners of Molly’s Bistro Bakery who share their restaurant on a day it is closed for the program to run on Tuesdays and Social Services City of Kawartha Lakes which funds the program.
Cook It Up happens from noon to 2 p.m. at Molly’s Bistro Bakery at 170 BobcaygeonRoad in Minden.  For more information or to see Tuesday’s menus postedon Mondays visit SIRCH Community Services online at sirch.on.ca .