Program Details

The Gary Comer Youth Center (GCYC) Culinary Apprenticeship, a two-year program where young people can explore Culinary Arts as a career path, inaugurated a new cohort during the Summer of 2023 with more spots. Created to give youth (aged 16-24) a chance to get hands-on experience and take their first steps in a possible career in the Culinary Arts, the apprenticeship gives young people a solid skill set base, starting with getting their food handler’s certification, followed by boot camps to hone their culinary skills (knife cuts, baking, savory cooking etc), all while collaborating with the regular operations of the Youth Center – free meal program to all members and a catering operation. Since the beginning of summer, the apprentices supported the preparation of over 7,000 meals and many community outreach events, such as GCYC’s annual benefit, the Comer Tours Benefit.

In addition to that, by connecting with local food businesses, the new cohort was able to experience different sides of the food industry and learn from experienced chefs, such as Head Chef Anthony and Pastry Chef Elaine, from Truth Be Told Tavern inside The Study at the University of Chicago and Stephanie Hart, owner of Brown Sugar Bakery. These partnerships allowed the apprentices to understand how a new menu item is developed, from conception to execution, and advance their culinary skills with demos and practical activities led by the guest chefs.

Having opened its doors in June 2006, the state-of-the-art Gary Comer Youth Center offers positive extracurricular alternatives in a welcoming and safe environment. The mission is to support our youth to graduate from high school prepared to pursue college and careers. Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Gary Comer Youth Center draws its primary membership from the youth residing on the South Side of Chicago, focusing on Grand Crossing residents. GCYC is the oldest and largest institution on the Comer Education Campus, including our organizational partners, Gary Comer College Prep High School, the South Shore Drill Team, and Gary Comer Middle School.