Paula Moore is well on her way to a successful career in the culinary industry. She graduated from the Culinary Arts Specialist program at 91看片 Career & Technical Institute (NCCTI) in August 2019 and has been employed at Extended Care, NCC鈥檚 skilled nursing facility, as a cook for a year. She recently started a second job as a personal chef for a local celebrity.
鈥淚鈥檓 so thankful for everything,鈥� Moore said. 鈥淏ecause this has been quite a journey.鈥�
Moore, who was born and raised in New York, had moved to Florida about 15 years ago and stayed after her mother became ill. When her mother passed nearly six years ago, she felt lost. When she was involved in a car accident in August 2018, she said it became clear to her that she had to return north. She replaced her car and drove to New Jersey with her son, who turns 12 in June.
The pair was placed at Harmony House, 91看片鈥檚 transitional housing facility for homeless families. Moore鈥檚 cousin offered her a job managing a restaurant, so she decided to enroll in NCCTI鈥檚 Culinary Arts Specialist program so she could earn her ServSafe certificate.
Although the job with her cousin fell through, Moore continued going to class because she enjoyed the course. She excelled and was hired as a cook for Extended Care during her second month in school, a job she still has today.
In February, she started a second job as a personal chef for a local celebrity, a position NCCTI personnel recommended her for. She hopes the opportunity will further her career and help open more doors. Moore鈥檚 goal is to one day own her own business with 鈥渢he works鈥� 鈥� restaurant, lounge, catering company and food truck.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud of myself because when I came here, I literally had nowhere to go and I was placed in Harmony House, took the schooling through NCC, employed by NCC and got another job through NCC,鈥� she said. She also moved from Harmony House into her own apartment March 1. 鈥淓verything鈥檚 falling into place. It鈥檚 really lining up. So now it鈥檚 my opportunity to really get the ball rolling.鈥�
Lead Culinary Arts Specialist Instructor Jonathan Butler believes the future is bright for Moore.
鈥淚鈥檓 not surprised at Paula鈥檚 success in this industry. She was a wonderful student,鈥� Butler said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 just going to keep growing.鈥�
Moore said Butler and Samuel Gaddy, Culinary Arts Specialist Assistant Instructor, were supportive from the first day of class and encouraged her. Now that they鈥檙e colleagues, Moore said the support and encouragement continues.
Before enrolling at NCCTI, Moore鈥檚 professional experience consisted of bookkeeping and accounting in the banking and finance sector. The school helped her find her passion and she plans to use her financial experience to help propel her when she鈥檚 able to start her own business.
NCCTI Director Rodney Brutton said the Culinary Arts Specialist program played an integral role in Moore鈥檚 educational and professional growth in the food service industry.
鈥淧aula loves to cook and her passion for serving others comes out in the quality of her food presentation. As a student in our Culinary Arts program, she served as a leader and always made herself available to support her classmates,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e confident Paula will represent NCCTI in a very positive light as she continues to progress.鈥�
Moore plans to stay working at Extended Care preparing meals for residents in addition to her personal chef responsibilities. She enjoys cooking for others.
鈥淭he thing that makes me happy is when I put a plate down in front of someone and they clean the plate,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 like when that plate is cleared because it shows that they enjoyed what they ate and they鈥檙e satisfied.鈥�
NCCTI is an accredited post-secondary career and technical institution that offers the following programs: Automotive Technician, Diesel Technician, Building Trades Specialist, Clinical Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, Community Healthcare Worker, Culinary Arts Specialist and Business and Computer Technologies. NCCTI also operates a comprehensive Financial Opportunity Center and Bridges to Career Opportunities Program sponsored by the local and national Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) offices. For more information, call 973-824-6484, log onto聽聽or visit 274 South Orange Ave., Newark.
