A Table in the Corner
A Table in the Corner is the space where Russel Wasserfall chats to people in the food industry about their passion and their take on the business of eating. Russel has worked in the media and food space for over 3 decades. He's run bars, restaurants and a confectionery factory, written for dozens of food and travel publications and made a bunch of cookbooks. His show is about the nitty-gritty of the food trade in all its forms. Top chefs, food artisans, proprietors, bakers, farmers, foragers, cheesemakers, writers, photographers, bloggers... you name it. If they’re involved in the food industry, you will meet them with Russel at A Table in the Corner.
A Table in the Corner
133. Melinda Wiggins - Infinity Culinary Training
Chef Melinda Wiggins is the Director of Operations & Culinary Arts at Infinity Culinary Training a training facility that takes unskilled people - literally off the streets - and gives them basic kitchen skills and the chance of a job in a professional kitchen. ICT provides a path out of poverty for people who might otherwise have no hope of ever finding employment. It's a short course that covers basic cooking skills and essential life skills and then places students as interns in their first kitchen job - the rest is up to them.
I've been banging on forever about the need to train young job-seekers in the skills they need to staff restaurant kitchens here and abroad. The fees for professional cooking courses are prohibitive for people from working class or impoverished backgrounds, and yet this is a trade that can change their lives. When I heard about ICT, I was immediately curious and approached Melinda to request an interview. Woolworths South Africa is their exclusive and dedicated food sponsor, and they have a slew of donors including the actor, Denzel Washington. This was a really uplifting conversation with someone who's doing something exceptional for people and for the food industry.
HeadsUp - Get a Fair Price
Zuney Burger - The Smash Burger of Exceptional Taste
- www.rwm2012.com
- On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner
- Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson
- All profile portraits by Russel Wasserfall unless otherwise credited
- Title music: 'In Time' by Olexy via Pixabay