Candela Restaurant Toasts C-cap

As part of its "five-year celebration, Candela Restaurant will offer a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne for "five" dollars through December. The proceeds will be donated to the Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP), a non-profit organization that promotes and provides career opportunities for inner-city youth through culinary arts education and apprenticeship in seven cities across the US, including New York.

Now more than ever, there is a great need to invest in our future. Candela Restaurant would like to give back to aspiring culinary professionals in need of training and job placement. C-CAP provides the necessary education and motivation for students to succeed in the workplace and life.

The point of purchase promotion benefiting C-CAP marks the first joint venture between the non-profit organization and Candela. This is the first time that a patron-based promotion has been combined with culinary training for C-CAP students. Participants in the program will gain valuable hands-on experience under the direction of Executive Chef Joseph Macri. Candela Restaurant will provide C-CAP students the guidance to obtain fundamental kitchen techniques needed to thrive in the foodservice industry.

cDeveloping the necessary skills and encouraging a passion for food are critical building blocks for any kid looking to get into the restaurant industry and C-CAP provides the chance for them to grow, explains Joseph Macri, Executive Chef of Candela Restaurant. cTraining and experience are everything - some of my fondest memories were learning to cook side by side with my Italian grandmother and Candela embraces the opportunity to help provide those memories for others."

cAs a nonprofit program that helps inner-city kids get their start in the Hospitality Industry, we are always seeking support. Many of the students, as a result of the events of Sept. 11, are now out of work, and C-CAP is working double time to help them find new positions. Because of the incredible outpouring of contributions for the survivors of the WTC tragedy, many charities like C-CAP are finding a dramatic slow down in the donations received....we welcome and are grateful for the support from Candela Restaurant," comments C-CAP Founder and President Richard Grausman.

Located in Irving Plaza, adjacent to Union Square, Candela Restaurant opened its doors and has been taking reservations since 1996. Its dcor and hospitality are first rate and it has received numerous accolades on both its wine list as well as cuisine, which is a combination of eclectic rustic sprinkled with a Pan Asian flair.

The Careers Through Culinary Arts Program operates programs in 200 schools in seven locales including Arizona, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, Tidewater, VA., Washington, D.C. C-CAP has trained over 300 teachers, reached 75,000 students, awarded over 900 scholarships valued at over $8,000,000, involved over 300 chefs and other food service professionals, and received over $1,000,000 worth of donated equipment and supplies.

Executive Chef Joseph Macri of Candela Restaurant and C-CAP Founder and President Richard Grausman are available for interviews.