U Empower of Maryland Asks Free Youth Culinary Arts Program to Vacate Baltimore School In 9 Days

BALTIMORE - Aug. 10, 2018 - PRLog -- "After working alongside U Empower of Maryland for the past few years, in an attempt to finally present Transition Kitchen^TM to the City, we are saddened to announce that on August 5th, 2018, U Empower of Maryland ℅ The Food Project, asked Transition Kitchen to vacate Samuel FB Morse Elementary School located at 424 S. Pulaski Street, Baltimore,  Maryland stating Transition Kitchen didn't meet the direction of the core focus of their mission." Transition Kitchen's Development Director, Anthony Davis, further stated that "after multiple attempts to address their concerns and move forward as a partner, on yesterday, we were told by Tommy Koukoulis, U Empower Founder and Board Member, that their decision is final. Transition Kitchen must vacate by August 19, 2018."

Food Network Alum, Celebrity Chef Robert Stewart, Founder and President of Transition Kitchen is a Baltimore native affectionately known as "Chef Stew." He structured Transition Kitchen as a Foundation, and under the same name, a barrier-free community-based culinary arts training program, free to reentry citizens and youth as young as a work permit allows. It exposes Baltimore youth, both male and female, to endless experiences and opportunities in the hospitality, pastry and beverage industry. Among other outcomes, this multifaceted program will impact the staggering number of under-resourced youth and recidivism. It creates sustainable career options and higher living wages in Baltimore, Maryland.

Chef Stew shares. "I always knew that winning CutThroat Kitchen and preparing cuisine for celebrities was my do-over and that I 'had' to make good on my promise to return home, and without criticism, uplift others. This is a huge blow to the program and my team who are equally passionate about this program, especially as we are so close to our grand opening. But, it is one that, I am certain, we will recover from, and quickly. We need access to a commercial kitchen Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. With the latter 3 hours, we will introduce our TK Mini Chef curriculum for those 11 to 15 years of age. I am making a plea to Baltimore officials, real estate corporations, and prospective stakeholders, to please help us find a home for Transition Kitchen, immediately. And, we welcome dialogue from local transportation, corrections, & workforce agencies."

The City of Baltimore donated the space to U Empower of Maryland, free of utilities for one year. The Baltimore Sun contributed to major appliances. Transition Kitchen donors, including a major donor couple, contributed to offset Transition Kitchen costs for kitchen appliances, food, student registration supplies and operational expenses." The program is accepting donations at https://www.gofundme.com/registration-kits and has begun to accept student registration applications at transitionkitchenbmore@gmail.com. Chef Stew added "I must apologize to anyone who may have donated to The Food Project or the U Empower Foundation under the impression that the funds were going to my program."

Chef Stew has a resume of epic proportions and a story of pure resilience. He is a resident of Las Vegas, and personal chef to Actress and Comedian Luenell. His greatest passion is cooking and making people feel good through his exquisite five-star cuisine. Even amidst A-List clientele such as Lala Hathaway, Jasmine Guy, Shaquille O'Neal,  Malcolm Jamal Warner, Demetria McKinney, Luenell, Tracee Ellis Ross, and appearances on OWN TV, BET, and TV ONE, Chef Stew is heart-set on giving back to his hometown of Baltimore.

Please visit https://www.chefstew.com/transition-kitchen to be amazed. Please direct questions to George Bostick, Program Director, at g.bostick@transitionkitchen.org or Anthony Davis, Development Director at a.davis@transitionkitchen.org. For media inquiries, please contact Alecia Jones, Publicist, at (240) 630-2691 or a.jones@chefstew.com.

ABOUT Transition Kitchen^TM -  an organization that provides free culinary and hospitality training under the same name.  Transition Kitchen was founded and is civically powered by Baltimore native and Food Network alum, Celebrity Chef Robert "Stew" Stewart. Transition Kitchen aims to transition the residents of Baltimore communities who are disconnected from opportunities and connect them to specialized skills and to living wages through viable careers within the culinary, pastry, hospitality and beverage sectors. This interactive training model includes financial literacy and positive law enforcement engagement. It prepares students for the ServSafe exam and creates a pool of qualified employees for partners such as Publix. Other partners include Happy Chef, Inc., Stratford University-Baltimore, and professional clothiers. Haley & Haley Transportation Company recently donated a van to support our transportation initiatives. Connect with us on social media through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube (@TransitionKitchen). Transition Kitchen Foundation, Post Office Box 4473, Baltimore, Maryland 21223. More at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/food-network-chef-from-baltimore-launches-training-kitchen-for-young-people/2018/07/18/59344890-89df-11e8-a345-a1bf7847b375_story.html