JOB TRAINING & PLACEMENT Tanika DePena came to UPO as a young mother looking for a fresh start. She wanted to move from low-paying, inconsistent work to a job with a career path and advancement. Having a love for cooking, a friend told her about UPO’s Culinary Arts training program and she quickly enrolled! She never imagined that she could get paid for something she enjoyed! Bright-eyed and super excited, she spent 12 intensive weeks and learned food basics such as proper preparation, storage and serving techniques for various food types! Upon program completion, she earned the nationally recognized ServSafe Food Handler certificate awarded by the National Restaurant Association and gained hands-on commercial kitchen experience from UPO’s “Top Chef” and industry-respected, Chef Jerald Thomas! Before graduation, Tanika secured full time employment with the region’s newest treasure—the MGM Grand Casino at the National Harbor! The Casino boasts five traditional-style restaurants and a food hall serving everything from tacos to sushi! Working under the guidance of world-renowned chefs like Jose Andres and the nationally-acclaimed Voltaggio Brothers, Tanika has gained new skills and continues to move forward toward a successful career in an industry that she loves!
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