Sérénité Culinary Institute
Sérénité Restaurant & Culinary Institute is a social enterprise whose profits are used to fund the tuition and recovery programs for this unique job training program. Proceeds from the restaurant provide approximately 50% of the revenue to support the recovery programming.
Sérénité Restaurant & Culinary Institute is at the core of the Recovery Center program and offers a distinctive and innovative approach to substance abuse recovery which encompasses a training program, teaching techniques of classic European cuisine from the American Culinary Federation’s Certified Culinarian Curriculum and including high quality restaurant service training. The program can accommodate up to 12 students at one time who rotate through a curriculum that includes classes on all aspects of the culinary and hospitality industry, kitchen and culinary skills and front of house training. Students receive an income during training, daily meals, transportation assistance, Health and fitness training and job placement assistance.
Every quarter, a new group of students are added to the program. After months of culinary training in a dedicated culinary kitchen, the students will begin to transition into the restaurant downstairs, both in the kitchen (cooks and line preps) as well as the front of the house (servers, hosts, etc.). Although they will be working in the kitchen (back of the house BOH) and dining rooms (front of the house FOH), they will remain as students and not employees. This is a true culinary program, with instruction, testing, certification, graduation and eventual placement into one of NE Ohio partner restaurants. Our students graduate, fully qualified to operate in the FOH or BOH, with discipline, structure and commitment.
Students are held to a high standard of excellence in their culinary training which will enable them to acquire jobs in restaurants offering higher wages that will support a family.
The Culinary Institute curriculum is designed to train students to work in any restaurant in both the kitchen and food preparation area and the hospitality and customer areas.
How To Apply for Enrollment / Employment
Sérénite Restaurant is a second chance employer for those in recovery, and we encourage people with previous restaurant experience to apply for part-time and full-time employment.
Please call 330-952-2611 for information.
Admission Criteria for Recovery Program Enrollment
- In recovery from drug or alcohol substance use disorder.
- 18 years or older
- Able to work dedicated hours consistently at Sérénité Restaurant and attend recovery programming.
- Commit to continuing Recovery from substance use disorder..
- Maintain complete abstinence from alcohol/drugs for completion of the program.
- Dedicated to vocational training to secure an employment future.
- Eager to complete a culinary training program.
FAQs
How can I get involved? How can I help?
Come eat at our restaurant and witness firsthand how lives are being changed
How do I donate?
Donations can be made online at our website donations page, through the mail, or in person at:
The Recovery Center of Medina County
538 W. Liberty Street
Medina, OH 44256
What types of services do you offer?
Our students, as well as anyone in the recovery community, have access to a wide variety of support groups, activities, and prosocial events.
Do students get hired at Sérénité after the six-month program?
Upon graduation, the expectation is that students actively seek employment elsewhere; however, many of our students have remained and been promoted to management positions within the organization.
How much does the program cost?
There is no fee for participation in the program and is unique in that the students are paid for the training. Students receive a livable wage.
Do I need to be sober to be considered for enrollment?
Yes, we do prefer that you be at least 8-12 months removed from active substance abuse.
Are you a medical treatment or rehab facility?
No. We are not a medical treatment facility. We have no medical staff on site, but we do work closely with a number of medical treatment centers in the surrounding area. If medical rehabilitation is necessary, we can help you find an appropriate facility, but we do not offer those types of services.
Is Sérénité Restaurant a non-profit organization?
Yes, the Recovery Center of Medina County and Sérénité Restaurant are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All private donations are used to support the Culinary Institute and the students, not the restaurant operation. Serenite restaurant supports itself and the Culinary Institute.
What do students learn? What is the curriculum?
Do you drug and alcohol test?
Yes. Random drug and alcohol testing is done throughout the duration of the program.
Do I need experience in the restaurant industry to be considered for enrollment?
No, absolutely not. In fact, most students come with no restaurant experience whatsoever.
Are there any disqualifying offenses to join the program?
We are in the business of giving people another chance. There are no defined disqualifying offenses, but we do determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis. We are committed to keeping our students and employees safe and we reserve the right to decline admission based upon criminal history.
Why do you serve alcohol at Sérénité Restaurant?
We are a Recovery Center, first and foremost. While we believe serving alcohol to the guests who dine in our restaurant is a necessary and realistic aspect of the fine dining experience, we do not, and will not, tolerate alcohol to be consumed by students or employees. We have a strong culture of recovery and we work hard to hold each other accountable to that goal.
Alcohol is present and available everywhere. Having alcohol on our menu teaches our students to be comfortable around alcohol without having to feel terrified of its presence. Again, we do random drug testing on our students and employees. We are a fine dining training program, and we want our students to find a sustainable career path in the restaurant industry. Alcohol is a necessary part of the cooking and dining experience. However, we are teaching them how to serve alcohol and how to cook with alcohol, NOT encouraging or condoning the consumption of alcohol.