As the labor crisis continues for Colorado restaurants, immigrants stock up on culinary knowledge
The partnership between MSU Denver and WorkReady opens doors for newcomers while providing job training for in-demand fields.
Adriana Cordero has been many things: a firefighter, a paramedic and a university student pursuing a degree in business administration in Venezuela. Yet she never imagined adding “chef” to her list of accomplishments. Now in the U.S., she’s exploring a new direction through the program, receiving hands-on culinary training to build a career in the restaurant industry.
“I never liked the kitchen,” she said, reflecting on her past experiences. “Cooking was merely a necessity to feed my kids. I learned by watching recipes and tutorials on TikTok and YouTube, attempting to practice on my own, but I never had the chance to learn in a professional setting.”
Everything changed when she met Chef Jay Lee, Ph.D., lecturer in Metropolitan State University of Denver’s School of Hospitality and WorkReady primary culinary instructor. “Seeing someone demonstrate techniques with such care and professionalism was truly inspiring,” Cordero said. “This newfound passion has opened doors I never imagined possible.”
Cordero is one of 18 students, all recent immigrants, in the inaugural cohort of the WorkReady labor-integration program, which launched last spring as a collaboration between Centro de los Trabajadores, the City of Denver and MSU Denver’s School of Hospitality.
The program, designed to address Denver’s labor shortages, provides participants with essential skills that are increasingly in demand. Every week, students receive professional instruction on kitchen techniques, hygiene and culinary creativity — skills typically reserved for formal culinary schools.
Participants also receive support for receiving their Employment Authorization Document, which allows noncitizens to work in the U.S. temporarily.
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Responding to industry needs
The WorkReady program emerges against a backdrop of critical workforce gaps. According to the Colorado Restaurant Association, eight of every 10 local restaurants are struggling to hire enough staff even with industry wages having risen an average of 20% since March 2020. Programs such as WorkReady aim to bridge this gap, preparing a skilled workforce to meet industry demands.
“In addition to mastering technical cooking skills, I want our students to develop a deeper sense of confidence and empowerment,” Lee said. “Many come from challenging backgrounds, and this program provides a supportive environment that allows them to recognize their potential for achievement.”
The program provides students with not just technical skills but also career-readiness tools to help them and their families succeed beyond the classroom, Lee added.
Building a bridge to new opportunities
The partnership between Centro de los Trabajadores and MSU Denver’s School of Hospitality exemplifies a holistic approach to career development. With a translator’s support, students learn basic culinary skills such as knife techniques and flavor balancing in an industry-grade kitchen.
The program also provides training to help with cultural assimilation. In the first phase of the program, students participate in workshops on computer literacy, résumé-building, English language learning, GED preparation and worker-exploitation awareness. These sessions help newcomers adapt their skills for the U.S. job market, aligning with industry employer expectations.
By the program’s end, participants not only gain culinary skills and workplace confidence but are also one step closer to obtaining their EAD — or, for many, have already achieved this milestone.
“Instead of creating a pathway of charity and through providing comprehensive training, we aim to help workers secure not just any job but a good-quality job that leads to long-term success,” said Mayra Juárez-Denis, executive director at Centro de los Trabajadores.
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Juárez-Denis said the program focuses on three key industries with high demand for workers: construction, child care and culinary arts. “We spoke with industry professionals, unions and community members to understand the workforce needs,” she said. “We’re now working closely with employers across the community to place trained workers into jobs that match their skills and goals, setting them on a path toward a lasting career.”
Looking toward the future
Andres Goenaga, like Cordero, described the WorkReady program as a transformative journey. “In Colombia, I was a security guard for eight years, and then I worked at a grocery store, doing everything from stocking products to cashiering. I also studied psychology briefly,” he said.
As he nears completion of the program, Goenaga envisions a brighter future for himself. “Now, I’m pursuing what I love,” he said. “I want to work in top-tier kitchens and in the future open my own restaurant like the ones you see on TV. I want to bring flavors from Colombia to the community and show my kids that anything is possible if you work hard, believe in yourself and cook with love.”
The WorkReady program aims to keep supporting students like Goenaga and Cordero by having local businesses provide continued guidance to program participants as they advance in their careers. This includes GED preparation and English-as-a-Second-Language courses through the Adult Education branch of MSU Denver’s Family Literacy Program.
MSU Denver and Centro de los Trabajadores see WorkReady as a model for addressing labor shortages in other industries, showing how targeted training programs can meet workforce demands and open doors for immigrants pursuing meaningful careers.
“We are all in this together,” Juárez-Denis said. “This isn’t just about filling jobs. We aim to teach immigrant workers how to utilize the institutions available to support their integration into the community.”
