Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.

PEC Quarterly Keynote: Featuring DC Central Kitchen CEO Mike Curtin

March 30, 2021 @ 2:30 pm 3:30 pm

DC Central Kitchen banner image

The first installation of a new event series, PEC’s Quarterly Keynote webinars will feature a different speaker and topic each quarter. In March, attendees will enjoy a candid conversation with DC Central Kitchen’s Mike Curtin about the important role local food systems play in addressing food insecurity.

DC Central kitchen uses career training, job creation, and sustainable business practices to strengthen local food systems and reduce disparities in health and economic opportunity.

The organization’s life-changing social ventures include providing culinary job training to at-risk adults, turning wasted food into balanced meals for shelters and nonprofits, and serving healthy, scratch-cooked meals in low-income schools.

*Registration is free for PEC members. Suggested donation of $10 for non-members.

Register button

About the Speaker: Mike Curtin

Mike joined DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) in 2004 after a career in the hospitality and restaurant business. During his tenure, the Kitchen has grown from a $2.5 million organization with 30 staff to a $19 million-plus organization with a staff of 170, 57% of whom are graduates of DCCK’s nationally acclaimed Culinary Job Training Program. Under Mike’s leadership, the Kitchen has expanded from traditional catering opportunities to include contracts for locally-sourced, scratched-cooked meals to schools across Washington, D.C. as well as a wholesale business offering value-added products to corner stores in Washington, DC’s food deserts.

In May of 2019, DCCK opened its first retail café as a training vehicle for young adults and will soon open its second in the newly renovated Martin Luther King Library in the heart of Washington D.C. In early 2022, the Kitchen will move into its new 36,000 square foot headquarters and social enterprise center anchoring a mixed-use development at the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers that will redefine inclusive urban development. In this space, the Kitchen will triple our service capacity, provide on-the-job training in a new café, and produce $200M in measurable community benefits each year.

Questions about this event or your PEC membership status?

You may reach out to Kendra Atkins, Development Assistant, with any questions about this event or the status of your PEC membership. Contact her at katkins@pecva.org or (540) 347-2334 ext. 7005. You may also join or renew your membership at www.pecva.org/join.

Free