Hattie's Culinary Lab provides training, opportunity to youth

Albany, NY (News10) — Hattie’s Culinary Lab, powered by the Social Enterprise and Training (SEAT) Center, officially opened today with the historic restaurant, Hattie’s, reimagined as a training ground for youth from underserved communities who want to pursue a career in the food industry.

For students in this SEAT program, each day starts with a promise to be a light to themselves and those back home as they recite a communal pledge “to commit every day to transforming our lives and the community.”

The trainees, ranging in age from 18 to 24, then begin prepping food, polishing silverware, setting tables and all other tasks necessary to run a restaurant. The program is the latest from SEAT that provides real-world skills and helps those who didn’t finish high school and aren’t ready for college to find purpose and directly contribute to their communities. CEO and Founder Jennifer Lawrence said partnering with Hattie’s restaurants provides students with the hands-on learning experience that complements their in-class curriculum from the National Restaurant Association. 

“Whatever you do in the classroom, you do hands-on the same week,” Lawrence said. “At Hattie’s now our students can learn culinary skills, front of house, back of house, hospitality and they can learn it hands-on in the same week.”

She said the restaurant industry is of major appeal to the young people she works with, as there’s a low barrier to entry where you can work your way up, getting credentials as you go. It’s also a launchpad for other careers. She said in addition to hard skills, the program provides the crucial support many of its participants were lacking, which helps them thrive.

“Seeing their resilience and their growth and seeing what happens for any young person when they feel hope and real opportunity,” she said. “Their growth is coming because they say hey people believe in me…now I have to show up for myself and others.”

For 20-year-old Malachi Grier, the program has been life-changing.

“My life started off rough. I didn’t have too many role models to follow, so I ended up in the streets more or less,” he said. “I just was like, I gotta do something better with my life.”

Grier learned about SEAT from a former coworker. He said he found his calling with the culinary program, and that the support he has received and skills learned in the program have been invaluable. 

“While being here, I’ve found a newfound family, love from everybody I’ve met here,” he said.

The restaurant will be open to the public every Thursday and Friday offering two dinner seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with everything prepared, cooked and served by the students under a professional chef and general manager. 

Grier a message for those who might be struggling like he was.

“The young people around me, I try to motivate them to come to the program because there’s nothing in the streets for them. You’re gonna go down that path and it’s gonna be a dead end,” he said. “So I’m hoping to have everyone I know or even I don’t know come to this program and expand their success.”

Those interested in participating in the program can apply on a rolling basis. There’s a new cohort at Hattie’s starting at the end of the month.