Culinary Education Center opens new training facility in Queens

The Culinary Education Center (CEC), a non-profit organization, has officially inaugurated its new training and certification facility in Woodside, Queens. Located at 33-51 62nd Street, the center aims to expand access to free vocational training and professional growth opportunities for workers in the hospitality and food service sectors.

The programs combine hands-on training in essential culinary techniques—such as baking, roasting, grilling, and steaming—with specialized instruction in nutrition, food safety, and kitchen operations. The initiative is supported by an alliance between industry employers and UNITE HERE Local 100, a union representing over 30,000 food service and hospitality workers in New York and New Jersey.

By providing industry-recognized certifications, the CEC seeks to prepare a skilled workforce for roles in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, airports, and corporate dining environments, ultimately fostering economic development within working communities.