Since its 2015 inception, the fledgling chefs at Montgomery County Community College’s Culinary Arts Institute (CAI) have supported the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board effort to address the county’s food-insecurity issue, branded as its Freedom from Hunger initiative.

The CAI’s ongoing contribution has generally been at the drive’s annual kick-off event. The announcement of the countywide effort to once again step up to meet area nutritional needs is traditionally made at a shelter whose support includes provision of hot meals and other programming.

That flagship gathering unites the tourism board’s leadership with area relief representatives, local county officials, and shelter regulars. They meet and connect at table, over lunch.

Kicking Things Up a Notch

Each year, CAI participants attend as well. But not just to chow down.

The CAI students are called on to test their evolving skills in a real-world situation by presenting that meal. They collaborate on a large-scale lunch that’s served cafeteria style but is kicked up several notches by the expert culinary skills they provide.

The afternoon winds up having a Food Network reality-show feel to it, as the crew uses staples in the onsite pantry and blends them together into something not only nutritious but also restaurant-level tasty.

Connecting at the Table

As if they need even more motivation to do well, their “customers” that day usually include the Montgomery County Commissioners — Val Arkoosh, Ken Lawrence, and Joe Gale. The commissioners come as their schedules allow, digging into the perfected plates and chatting with food-outreach staff and clientele and the kitchen crew.

Past sites for this signature shared meal have included:

• The Norristown Hospitality Center
• Manna on Main Street, Lansdale
• Cecil & Grace Bean’s Soup Kitchen, Norristown
• Haws Kitchen, Norristown

CAI: “Eager to Help”

Karima Roepel, Director, Hospitality Institute at Montgomery County Community College, described what this collaborative effort has come to mean to her organization and its students.

“Over the years, CAI has always been eager to help our community and partner organizations. We have participated in supporting Valley Forge Freedom from Hunger Drive in various ways such as meal prep, plate serving and, of course, all the cooking.

“The day gives students the opportunity to help others and learn to work in a different types of kitchens with our best educators.”

She focused particularly on the educational opportunity the project represents, saying, “In the real world of culinary event management, chefs must quickly adapt to the kitchens and equipment available to them at the moment.

“The VF Freedom from Hunger meal calls for hands-on, real-time solutions under impromptu kitchen conditions. The experience takes culinary theory and makes it practical.

“It’s a great learning time for the faculty and the students — and, of course, it’s for a great cause,” she concluded.

Still Time to Participate

The 2022 edition of the Valley Forge Freedom from Hunger continues through the end of Oct.; there is still time for Montgomery County residents to join in on the online effort to combat local food insecurity.