MIAMI, Fla. – To commemorate the launch of Florida Technical College’s (FTC) new Culinary Arts Program at its South Miami Campus in Cutler Bay, FTC joined forces with the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program to host a drive-up food distribution on March 11 for hundreds of families in need.

With 1,000 meals prepared by local minority-owned business Mike & Jackie’s Catering and packaged by FTC students, the collaboration with the Food Relief Program is assisting to alleviate the food insecurity and stress experienced by families in Miami-Dade County while generating jobs and revenue for local minority owned restaurants in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its ongoing economic impact.

Hot meals consisting of barbecue chicken and pulled pork in addition to sides of coleslaw, baked beans and dinner rolls, were offered free of charge via the partnership of 11 local nonprofit organizations.

“This partnership was the perfect way to help formally mark our launch of the South Miami campus’s new Culinary Arts Program,” said Dr. James Michael Burkett, FTC president. “Our students gained practical hands-on experience, and hundreds of families in need benefited as our community continues to forge a path forward to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic fallout.”

The college is in a multi-year partnership with FTC as the "Official Culinary School of the Miami Dolphins," in which they will collaborate in initiatives to provide relief to local communities.

“The Miami Dolphins recognize food insecurity is an ongoing issue faced by our community in the wake of COVID19,” said Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs Jason Jenkins. “Through our partnership with FTC, we are able to continue finding ways to come together and be part of the solution to help feed our neighbors.”

Florida Technical College’s 12month Culinary Arts Diploma program, available at the South Miami campus, offers student hands-on opportunities to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for careers in the culinary industry, including a range of management, supervisory, and cooking positions. The FTC South Campus will also be adding a restaurant inspired professional kitchen in the near future.

FTC offers diploma, associate and bachelor’s degree programs in a range of professions, including Healthcare, Construction Trades, Hospitality, Beauty, Information Technology and Business. The Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges (FAPSC) recently named FTC the 2020 Institution of the Year.