The U.S. Department of Labor’s New Orleans Job Corps Center and the Walt Disney World Culinary Program continued to expand their partnership by hosting a second Culinary Career Fair at the New Orleans Job Corps campus. Students from nearly 20 campuses from across the country attended the one-day event, which took place Tuesday, Sept. 10. More than 25 students who attended last week’s event have received job offers thus far.

“Job Corps has been committed to empowering students with the skills and education needed to succeed in high-demand jobs for over 60 years,” said Job Corps National Director John E. Hall. “For the second year in a row, this career fair has offered our students an invaluable opportunity to connect with Disney recruiters and gain firsthand insights from culinary experts.”

During the event, Job Corps officials and Disney’s senior culinary recruiter Chef Pauli Milotte, spoke with students about career opportunities in the culinary industry upon graduation. New Orleans-based chefs, including Sodexo Live! Regional Executive Chef Lenny Martinsen, Martin Wine Cellar and Bistro Corporate Chef Jordan Lindsey, and Nonno’s Cajun Cuisine & Pastries owner and Chef Shermond Esteen Jr., also participated in culinary demonstrations.

Students from nearly 20 different Job Corps campuses attended, including Boxelder, Cass, David L. Carrasco, Earle C. Clements, Finch-Henry, Gadsden, Guthrie, Keystone, Little Rock, Lyndon B. Johnson, Miami, New Orleans, North Texas, Philadelphia, Potomac, Shreveport, Talking Leaves, Turner and Woodland.

The Culinary Career Fair is part of a larger Job Corps initiative to establish more pipeline pathways for students to meet the demands of employers within the culinary industry. This event is the second of its kind, following the inaugural Disney Culinary Career Fair in February.

To learn more about the New Orleans Job Corps campus and career path opportunities, visit https://neworleans.jobcorps.gov/.