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New England Culinary Arts Training
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Student Stories

Luna, Cohort 70

January 20, 2026

Luna came to NECAT after learning about the program through Coolidge House, a community partner. Coming to NECAT shortly after his release, Luna was searching not just for job skills, but for community and a sense of belonging and he found that at NECAT.

With the support of Career Services, Luna secured a part-time job that turned into full-time employment after graduation. Today, he enjoys his work and is already setting his sights on applying for a supervisor position, a milestone he once thought was out of reach. Luna credits his success to the encouragement and support he received at NECAT. “NECAT is a safe place. It’s somewhere I know I can come back to when I need support. While taking steps forward as a re-entry citizen, NECAT supported me every step of the way. I now have a job, a bank account, and the ability to support myself and my family.”

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https://www.ne-cat.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/IMG_8349-1-e1768946580675.jpg 466 389 bpjohnson http://www.ne-cat.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/White-Logo-No-Background-1030x267.png bpjohnson2026-01-20 14:42:202026-01-20 17:03:14Luna, Cohort 70

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About

Core Values
Staff
Board
Gallery
History
Financials

Programs

Locations
Curriculum
Admissions
Apply Now

Careers & Alumni

Career Services
Alumni
Student Stories

Catering & Events

Catering
Event Space
NECAT Events

Support Us

Ways To Give
Supporters
Donate

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NECAT
23 Bradston Street
Boston, MA 02118

(617) 442-3600
info@ne-cat.org

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Sant Fòmasyon NECAT Boston

23 Bradston Street
Boston, MA 02118

Katye jeneral NECAT la se prensipal etablisman fòmasyon nou an ak kay biwo administratif nou yo. Sant la gen ladan yon sal klas oditoryòm ak yon kwizin demonstrasyon, kwizin ansèyman nou an ak Sèvis Karyè ak Sant Angajman Alumni. Gen toujou de kowòt nan sesyon – Black Hats (premye sis semèn fòmasyon nan salklas la) ak Orange Hats (pwochen sis semèn fòmasyon nan kwizin nan) ak dis kowòt yon ane ap gradye.

Klike la a pou w konnen ki jan ou ka enskri.

 

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Behind the Walls

Suffolk County House of Correction (SCHC)

NECAT’s Behind the Walls program brings our holistic training program directly to the adults incarcerated at SCHC. Working in partnership with the re-entry team at SCHC, and using the prison’s teaching kitchen, a NECAT chef fulfills NECAT’s curriculum to the same standards as its Boston program. NECAT’s career services team provides job counseling and placement services when graduates are released from incarceration.

East Boston YMCA

215 Bremen Street
East Boston, MA 02128
617-569-9622

NECAT offers a 12-week culinary training program taught at the East Boston YMCA. The mission and program elements mirror NECAT’s Boston Program, but the geographic target areas for program participants and employment are focused in East Boston and Chelsea. Additionally, NECAT’s training in East Boston will be conducted in Spanish and English, respectful of the language and cultural diversity of local participants. East Boston has the largest percentage of Spanish speaking adults in Boston.

Click here to find out how you can register.

NECAT Boston Training Center

NECAT Boston Training Center
23 Bradston Street
Boston, MA 02118

NECAT’s headquarters is our main training facility and home to our administrative offices. The Center includes a classroom auditorium with a demonstration kitchen, our teaching kitchen and the Career Services and Alumni Engagement Center. There are always two cohorts in session – Black Hats (the first seven weeks of training in the classroom) and Orange Hats (the next seven weeks of training in the kitchen) and ten cohorts a year will graduate.

The next cohort start date is 10/28/2026. Click here to find out how you can register.