Cook at a Local Heritage Food Incubator to Support Aspiring Entrepreneurs and Low-Income Families in Denver!
What is Comal Heritage Food Incubator? Comal Heritage Food Incubator is a culinary training program and full-fledged restaurant launched by Focus Points Family Resource Center, a local non-profit, in 2016. It focuses on providing immigrant and refugee women with the skills and support needed to start businesses or excel as managers in the culinary field. The program combines classroom education with hands-on training in the restaurant, all alongside an "earn while you learn" model. Comal's model encourages entrepreneurs to leverage their heritage recipes while fostering cultural exchange. Support our Comal team at RiNo Art Park on Tuesday through Friday, and on occasional Saturdays.
Training and Tasks: Partner with the Comal team to support our culinary training program at the RiNo Art Park! Volunteer tasks include preparing seasoning, slicing, washing produce and meat, plating dishes, bussing tables, and other tasks as assigned.
Upon arrival, volunteers receive essential training, including a gear check, kitchen and food safety tours, skills assessments, and personalized one-on-one instruction based on tasks. Your efforts will contribute to Comal Heritage Food Incubator’s mission of supporting aspiring culinary professionals and entrepreneurs through hands-on experience in a supportive environment. Join us Tuesday through Friday, and occasionally on Saturdays, to make a difference!
Dress Code: Safety is our #1 priority in our commercial kitchen. Volunteers must wear closed-toe shoes and are encouraged to wear long pants and sleeved shirts. Loose clothing can pose a fire hazard, so please avoid it. Additionally, volunteers should refrain from wearing loose jewelry and rings, except for a wedding ring, and limit face piercings to comply with kitchen regulations. Please bring any items you need for your experience including a water bottle and snacks. If you have any specific questions about what to wear, feel free to reach out to Jazlynne at jazlynne@focuspoints.org.
Before Volunteering: Prospective volunteers must undergo a 15-minute check-in call with the Development Manager, which can be scheduled in advance here. Therefore, please register no later than 48 hours before the opportunity. In addition, upon registration, please submit your completed waiver (download and sign) to Jazlynne@focuspoints.org.
