To connect Disney’s award-winning culinary program with trained job candidates, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Corps and the Disney Culinary Program held their first culinary career fair this past Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the New Orleans Job Corps Center.  

The event brought Job Corps students and graduates from more than 30 Job Corps campuses representing the Culinary Arts program to New Orleans. Students and graduates had the opportunity to interview with Disney Executive Chef Pauli Milotte, chief recruiter for the company who runs the Disney College Program and provides students with real-life work experience by hiring them for internships at Disney’s resorts worldwide. 

New Orleans City Councilmembers Oliver Thomas, Freddie King and Eugene Green attended the event, along with Stephanie Gerarve from the Louisiana Lt. Governor’s Office, New Orleans Recreation Development Commission CEO Larry Barabino Jr., Vice Chairman of the New Orleans Region Black Chamber of Commerce Stephanie Chambliss, Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy, and Cory Reinkemeyer with Coca Cola United. Celebrity Chef Jay Ducote spoke with students, while several local chefs were also in attendance interacting with students and hosting cooking demonstrations.

After kicking off the event, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Job Corps acting National Director Erin McGee met with students, Chef Milotte and local chefs.  

“Working with major employers like Disney not only provides career opportunities for students, but also supplies the company with workers who are already trained and certified in a number of areas in the culinary arts,” McGee said. “A student or graduate in this room could be taking their first step toward becoming a chef or even a culinary director.”

Throughout the day, local chefs prepared cooking demos spotlighting Louisiana-style dishes, where they shared recipes and cooking tips with attendees. Several guest chefs also participated in speaking panels, where they shared entrepreneurial advice about the culinary industry. Finally, to ensure all attendees experienced the true culture of the city, guests enjoyed live entertainment from Second Line Band, Tramps and Baby Dolls. Photos from the event can be found here.