Located on Chicago’s west side in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, Inspiration Kitchens is our restaurant and Foodservice Training program site. Since 2001, Inspiration Kitchens has offered low-income individuals struggling to find work the opportunity to learn to cook professionally at a real restaurant open to the paying public, helping them gain the skills and experience they need to build a career in the food service industry.
Our Foodservice Training program is free to participants, and includes hands-on instruction, kitchen demonstrations, classroom culinary instruction, nutrition education, and employment and life skills classes. We also provide them with the services they need to overcome obstacles like homelessness, criminal backgrounds, mental or physical disabilities, substance addictions, and mental illness.
covid-19 update
We are so excited to share that we opened the restaurant for limited service on July 23rd and welcomed participants back for in-person training on August 9th! If you or someone you know is interested in joining an upcoming training cohort, please read more about the program and fill out the interest form here. A member of our Foodservice Training Program team will be in touch!
Success Stories
Our Foodservice Training Program empowers members of our community with the tools they need to succeed in the foodservice industry and prepares them for a sustainable career path.
One of our program graduates, Chef Anthony Scardino came to Inspiration Corporation almost 10 years ago to start working towards a career in the foodservice industry. After completing his training, Tony went on to work at popular Chicago restaurants, and eventually launched his own business, Professor Pizza!
