“My goal in life has always been to help others, and cooking has always been one of the ways I can do that. Finding this program made it possible for me to turn my passion into a career.”
Each year, Cathedral Kitchen hosts three cohorts of Culinary Arts Training (CAT) students. The CAT program equips low-income community members with the professional and personal skills needed to build successful careers in the hospitality industry. With 80% of restaurant owners and managers beginning in entry-level positions, the field offers tangible opportunities for advancement, and CAT graduates are achieving a job placement rate of more than 90% within three months of completing the program.
At each graduation ceremony, one student who demonstrates exceptional skill, dedication, and work ethic is selected to receive the Chef Jonathan Jernigan Apprenticeship. This prestigious award provides a four-month paid position in Cathedral Kitchen’s culinary program, allowing graduates to continue developing their skills alongside experienced mentors.
This spring, that honor was awarded to Jaisohn Gantt.
For Jaisohn, the apprenticeship is much more than a job. Long before she enrolled in the CK Culinary Arts Training Program, Jaisohn knew about Cathedral Kitchen – she used to come for meals with her father and three sisters when she was a child. Today, CK is still here, providing her with the support and skills she needs to reach her goals.
After graduating high school, Jaisohn struggled to find a career path that inspired her.
“I didn’t feel excited about what I was doing. I wanted to have a job where I didn’t have to dread coming to work, but I was kind of stuck.”
Jaisohn graduated from the CAT program this spring, but the experience offered far more than culinary skills. The program also helped her build confidence and discover her own strengths.
“I learned more about myself in those 15 weeks than I had in my whole life before then!”
As a Chef Jonathan Jernigan Apprentice, Jaisohn can continue learning in a supportive environment where growth is encouraged and mistakes are treated as opportunities.
“The position is really difficult, but in a good way. I’m allowed to mess up, and I’m allowed to make mistakes. I’m learning twice as fast because I’m in a safe space.”
As she continues her apprenticeship, Jaisohn is building the skills, confidence, and experience needed for a successful culinary career—while staying true to her goal of using food to help others. Congratulations, Jaisohn!
