Something's Cooking at Thunder Road

Training in the culinary arts is a potent new ingredient in Thunder Road’s renowned substance abuse recovery program for teens. The Alta Bates Summit Medical Center’s recipe for success combines motivated young chefs-to-be (Thunder Road clients who will be receiving high school credits) and expert instruction with a good measure of sound economics, including transferable job skills and possible plans for a catering business to support the program.

“Our kids are doing the hard, courageous work of exploring their sobriety and learning about themselves,” says Tom Gerstel, Thunder Road’s administrator. “The Culinary Arts Program helps youth transition to the next stage of their life: becoming independent citizens, working and taking care of themselves. Some of our grads have gone on to successful food service careers, including jobs at Postrio in San Francisco and at Denny’s and Olive Garden restaurants.”

During eight-week training cycles, culinary students attend hands-on cooking labs, visit local restaurant kitchens, farms, and bakeries, and will soon be gobbling up advice from guest chefs and restaurateurs. Participants also help make meals for Thunder Road clients and staff, and prepare most of the facility’s snacks and desserts. They cater a few private events as well, including the Celebrity Classic, which is hosted by the Foundation, a long-time Thunder Road benefactor.

“The catering business has huge potential,” says Gerstel. “We’re studying other nonprofit organizations’ programs that sell products and allow the community to support their mission. With the help of some East Bay restaurants and business consultants, we hope to devise a solid business plan by Spring 2007.”

Alta Bates Summit Foundation
Partners in Care Newsletter
Fall 2006