Siani, a New Jersey native, graduated from our Culinary Arts Training (CAT) Program in 2021. Five years later, she’s continued to grow into an impressive chef and—after three promotions—is now a supervisor at the Cooper Hospital kitchen!
Before the CK training program, Siani had always wanted to work with food but didn’t have the training or skills to pursue it. Siani excelled in the CAT Program, even winning the Outstanding Student award. To this day, she credits the CAT program for her food safety knowledge, technical skills, and social skills. And Siani doesn’t mess around with food safety! “While it may seem small, failing food safety protocols can result in more than a failed inspection: people can get sick.”
During the 15-week program, CAT students cook for and serve food insecure and housing insecure Camden residents for the CK Meal program. Today, that experience pushes her to leverage her position at the hospital to feed those in need.
In addition to her professional success, Siani has grown into herself in other ways as well. Now living on her own with a little puppy, Rocki, Siani has gained self-confidence and joy since graduating from the program. She’s still in touch with her CAT program friends, one of which works down the street at the Camden Aquarium Cafeteria.
“I wouldn’t be here without CK, and I know it’s a place I can always go back to if I need anything. Chef Nai is still a second mother to me. Her and Chef Jill were awesome.”
This summer, Siani and one of her colleagues at Cooper Hospital plan to open a food truck, Curbside Eats, right here in Camden. Opening a food truck has always been a dream of Siani’s.
“Everything I learned at Cathedral Kitchen helped me to advance at Cooper and prepared me to start my own business. As long as you work as a team and remember what you learned, there’s nothing you can’t do.”
At 31, Siani still has a lot of time to achieve her goals. But if the last five years are any indication of what’s to come, we’ll be announcing a restaurant opening soon!
