(July 5, 2022), Richmond, VA – The Richmond Police Department Community Cares Unit has announced a partnership with native Richmonder and Food Network star and winner of Chopped Redemption, Chef Sammy Davis, Jr., to pilot RVA C.O.O.K.S., Culinary Opportunity and Other Keystone Skills to empower our local teens. This free, eight week program is set to spark culinary interest, creativity, and principles that lead to success beyond the kitchen for Richmond’s at-risk youth.
Chef Davis was born to a teenage heroin addict and lost his father to a brutal and senseless murder at a young age. Davis left home and ended up in Atlanta, and at age 16, he was living on the streets, surviving on petty crimes. Determined to build a life for himself, he sought any kind of employment he could find and a restaurant gave him a chance to work as a dishwasher earning $20 a day. Chef Sammy credits the restaurant biz with saving his life. His story is one of redemption, having won Chopped Redemption on Food Network and is now a successful restauranteur.
Held weekly in the kitchen at the Sarah Garland Jones Center, each session led by Chef Sammy Davis, Jr. and other guest chefs will include lessons on kitchen safety, food preparation and presentation, proper food handling, and cooking techniques. Discovery and creativity are on the menu for this program as well as learning important life skills; drafting a resume and participating in a job interview, as well as conflict resolution and navigating difficult conversations.
Graduates of RVA C.O.O.K.S. will have access to job placement support and resources to enter the culinary field. This program is made possible by Bon Secours who is not only providing the kitchen and classroom space but has provided funding for the program as well. Bon Secours recognizes that the factors that drive individual and community health extend far beyond the walls of its hospitals, which is why supporting RVA C.O.O.K.S., a local program directly addressing the social determinants of health, is so important to the health system.
Registration for the program is free and is now open for fall 2022.
Media availability:
When: 11:30a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Today, Tuesday, July 5, 2022
Where: Bon Secours Sarah Garland Jones Center for Healthy Living
Hear from: Celebrity Chef Sammy Davis, Jr.
RPD Community Cares Unit, Captain
Daniel Minton
Bon Secours Richmond Executive
Director of Community Health, Becky Clay Christensen
Student participant
Q&A with Chef Davis and
partners
Visuals: Food demo with student participation
Skills learning
activity
