Training.
Employment.
Empowerment.
NECAT offers training, support and employment services to prepare adults to secure and retain career-ladder jobs in the growing food services industry.
Apply Today! Learn MoreA Catalyst for Change
NECAT provides chronically unemployed adults with a pathway to stable, long-term employment in the food services industry through comprehensive technical and job readiness training and individualized support and employment services. We are a catalyst for social change, helping our community’s unemployed bridge the skills gap, enter the workforce and achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Discover NECATHere's What's Cooking
America’s Test Kitchen comes to NECAT for a wonderful evening
ATK Chefs Jack Bishop and Elle Simone do a live demo for NECAT supporters Chefs from the most watched cooking show on public television, America’s Test Kitchen were special guests at NECAT’s latest fundraising event. Celebrity Chef, Author and Test Kitchen Creative Director Jack Bishop, and ATK…
NECAT Launches Advisory Council with Top Employers
Something that always stands out to those just learning about NECAT is that every student of ours has the opportunity to receive multiple job offers and have their pick of positions. Our graduates are well trained and the jobs are out there – Boston’s current unemployment rate of…
“A kid like me.” NECAT grad is profiled in the Boston Business Journal
Sirbastian Manisculco was just 19 years old when he enrolled at NECAT. Although still a teenager, he had a criminal record, was homeless and did not have much optimism about what his future would look like. That was four years ago. Sirbastian is now flourishing in the job…
NECAT Strengthens Partnership with Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department
Each year, approximately 10 million people in the United States return to their communities from jail or prison, including roughly 3,000 to the City of Boston. These former offenders continue to face challenges upon release, including finding housing, financial support and jobs because of their time in prison….
NECAT Grad Comes Back to Give Back
David Spear is a self-described foodie with an adventurous spirit. He spent four years living in Asia and four years living in Spain. He’s been a cheese monger in New York City and managed a farmers’ market in New Jersey. He says that he’ll try anything when it…
NECAT in the Globe
Adrian Walker, columnist for the Boston Globe, features NECAT and describes the role that Encore Boston Harbor is playing in hiring our graduates into new jobs, in his recent column. He describes NECAT as “perhaps the city’s most unusual culinary arts program. …NECAT, takes people who have struggled…
“Best of Boston” Event at NECAT is a celebratory, communal evening
On May 16th, NECAT welcomed more than 100 guests for a mouth-watering BBQ meal from Chef Andy Husbands of the Smoke Shop, craft beers from Night Shift and delicious pies from Flour Bakery + Café. NECAT graduates and current students helped prepare, serve and make the evening a…
Staff Spotlight: Chef Bob Krajewski
It’s a Friday morning at NECAT and twenty-one students who began their training four weeks earlier have just received their uniforms. Chef Bob Krawjeski beams at them proudly. “When we put on our uniform, we begin to look at ourselves with new eyes. We begin to think of…
Bill Strickland pays a visit to NECAT
Regularly scheduled class turned out to be a special occasion on Thursday afternoon when Bill Strickland stopped by to chat with NECAT students. Strickland is the Founder of Manchester Bidwell Corporation, the author of Make the Impossible Possible and the inspiration behind NECAT. His models for adult job training and youth…
Meet the Newest Members of NECAT’s Team
NECAT is pleased to welcome two new additions to our staff. Vic Acosta is Director of Career Services and Paige Bloskey (pictured above, center) is Catering Manager and Culinary Instructor. Both Vic’s and Paige’s careers have been a perfect lead up to their roles at NECAT. Originally from…
NECAT’s Board of Directors is Growing
NECAT’s Board of Directors gathered today to kick-off a new strategic planning process with the support of the consulting firm Strategy Matters. Thank you to our Board for taking the time out of their busy schedules to help plan NECAT’s future! We are also excited to report that…
What a Year for NECAT
In 2018 we turned five years old, we grew our team, launched a new culinary job training program in Everett, developed strong partnerships and continued to provide life-changing services to those who need them most.
Chef Andy Husbands inspires at Commencement
Long-time supporter of NECAT and award-winning “Pit Master” Andy Husbands was the guest speaker at our graduation ceremony for cohorts 24 and 25. Husbands is owner and founder of the Smoke Shop restaurants with three locations in Boston. He has hired NECAT graduates, including Troy Young who is…
Encore Boston Harbor’s Amazing Giving Tuesday Event
The highly-anticipated five-star gaming resort, Encore Boston Harbor held its first fundraiser to benefit NECAT. The event took place in NECAT’s beautiful Boston training center on Giving Tuesday, on the same day that Encore announced its commitment to donate $10 million over the next four years to support a range of…
A Model That is 50 Years Strong
NECAT came to life in 2013, not long after our founder Maarten Hemsley met Bill Strickland, the social entrepreneur and charismatic leader of the Manchester Bidwell Corporation in Pittsburgh. Strickland had built a successful model of education and training nonprofits and Hemsley was inspired to create one in…
NECAT Caters the Boston Foundation’s Annual Meeting
NECAT was honored to have the opportunity to feeds the guests of The Boston Foundation’s Annual Meeting last night in their beautiful offices. NECAT has been a grantee of the Foundation for more than five years. The Foundation’s mission is to devote its resources to building and sustaining a…
NECAT’s 5th Anniversary – Five Years Strong
On October 25, 2018 NECAT held a very special evening to celebrate our fifth anniversary and to show appreciation to the supporters and advocates who have helped us achieve this incredible milestone. Awards were given to the following honorees who have been true champions for NECAT: “Big Time”…
NECAT officially launched its Alumni Association
NECAT officially launched its Alumni Association with a special lunch for graduates.
Celebrating 33 New NECAT Grads
NECAT had two exciting graduations this week.
NECAT Graduate is Baking for Good
NECAT graduates are working across Boston, in every type of industry
NECAT’s Everett Site Graduates its First Class
NECAT is thrilled to announce that the first Everett class graduated on April 28, 2018.
Annual Students
The program was launched in October 2013 and serves roughly 210 students annually, across two locations.
Job Placement
83% of NECAT'S graduates secure culinary employment, on a career track to economic self-sufficiency.
Wages
Program graduates earn well above Boston's Living Wage, securing nearly $17 per hour, plus benefits, in their first position.
Follow the Journey
After graduation, our students go on to fulfilling and challenging careers. Hear from NECAT alumni about how our organization set them up for success in a fast-paced and growing culinary arts industry.
Train today
to transform tomorrow
The industry is desperate for workers - there are far more jobs than cooks to fill them. With training from NECAT, you will have your pick of positions. Enroll with NECAT today to be a part of a bright future.
Apply Now Learn More