What Working in the Culinary Arts Team Means to Me

Culinary Arts Team working hard at Vincent House

Working in Culinary Arts gives me the capability of learning how the food preparation process happens; from different types of dicing to food presentation. I worked in food service as a general manager for many years prior to my stroke, and being in the Culinary Arts team gives me the opportunity to continue doing what I love to do.

-Sonya Herring

I love working hard in the kitchen and making friends with the members that attend Vincent House. Washing the dishes is my favorite thing to do.

-Malcolm Campbell

            

            Culinary gives me stamina that I can’t find in other teams. I am always doing something so that makes me energized. There is always something to do which I like a lot.

-Tom Lancaster

Culinary is a really good experience for me because when I move out, I’ll be ready to cook food that I won’t have to eat too much fast food as often. Also, Culinary has great people with great potential that I can really learn so much from them.

-Eric Vitan

            

            I enjoy working in the Culinary Arts unit because you learn skills in the kitchen and garden. The members and staff here at Vincent House are very nice as well.

-Steven Raymond

            

            I like being in Culinary Arts because I enjoy doing janitorial duties, such as sweeping and mopping. The people I’ve met at my time at Vincent House have been outstanding. I enjoy talking to other members out on the gazebo and getting to know everyone. The food that we make is always fantastic and healthy, lunch is probably my favorite part of the day.

-Charlie Strubbe

Mike cutting pineapple

I like working in Culinary Arts because of the fantastic people in the team, and I believe I’m scratching the surface of loving the work that’s done in the kitchen. Working is becoming fun, and I enjoy the food prep, cleaning and sweeping, and the cooking aspects. All is going pretty well in the team!

-Mike Taddeo

Vincent House Members Attend NAMI Picnic

On Saturday, September 30th, Vincent House members attended a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) picnic at Lake Seminole Park. This occasion kicks off Mental Illness Awareness Week which is October 1st to October 7th. According to the NAMI Pinellas’ Facebook page:

We believe that mental health conditions are important to discuss year-round, but highlighting them during Mental Illness Awareness Week provides a dedicated time for mental health advocates across the country to come together as one unified voice. Since 1990, when Congress officially established the first full week of October as Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), advocates have worked together to sponsor activities, large or small, to educate the public about mental illness.

The Vincent House members who went participated in games and delighted in picnic foods such as chicken, pork, macaroni & cheese, various salads, cookies and lemonade. Moreover, The IRIS awards were given out to recipients with an outstanding contribution to mental health awareness.  Vincent House’s own Ligia Gomez and the Culinary Arts Team received the award last year. 

Before long, it was time to head back to Vincent House after a great outing. Thank you, NAMI for the wonderful time, and we’ll see you next year!

Vincent House wins Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest

The Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest was an exciting way for Vincent House to participate in the greater community and display the talents of our Culinary Arts Team. Events such as these are a great way for the community to learn about Vincent House and its mission of Recovery through Work. Our Culinary Arts Team submitted a healthy, gluten-free Black Bean S’mores Cupcake, and it won first place in the specialty category. Congratulations Vincent House!

The Great St. Pete Cupcake Competition

The Morean Arts Center is hosting the Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest. This year marks the 100^th anniversary of this cupcake competition. To celebrate that, a hundred bakers are going to take part in the competition this year. Vincent House will be entering the contest for the second year in a row. We are entering cupcakes in both the regular and gluten-free categories. We will be taste testing flavors like gluten free black bean s’mores and banana curry to see what we would like to submit. It only costs $5 for all the cupcakes you can eat on the day of the event. You can even nominate your favorite cupcake for the People’s Choice Award. Hope to see you there on August 19 from 12-3pm. Wish us luck!

Cupcake creation from the competition in 2016.

Vincent House Caters for the Pinellas Park Medical District

Vincent House helped cater the Pinellas Park Medical District on Tuesday. It was a unique experience. I got to meet new people and talk to people, like Paul Ziegler, a previous board member. We also were able to watch the presentation by DMI Research. They explained what clinical research was and how it works. They talked about why drug prices are so high and how they use a placebo in their trials. It was really interesting. Also, I liked that we all received compliments on the food. Everyone appreciated our hard work. A lot of people came back for seconds and thirds. This showed how much hard work was put in by Culinary Arts Team. I am proud to be part of the team who made the food. Thanks to Vincent House for allowing me to experience this opportunity.

By Dawn Kimber, Vincent House Member

Members of Vincent House cater for the Pinellas Park Medical District. Pictured from left to right is 
Randy Deily, Tina Seaman, Dr. Dan Strauss, Brendan Robertson, Alex Favara, and Dawn Kimber.