Hire Our

Talented Graduates

Help transform lives through culinary training for formerly incarcerated folks. Every dollar makes a difference.

Why hire our REfire Graduates?

REfire Culinary graduates are equipped with professional certifications, hands-on experience, and a strong work ethic. When you hire our talented pool of graduates, you're not just filling a position—you're offering a second chance and gaining a committed, hardworking employee who’s ready to prove what’s possible.

More and more businesses are adopting second chance hiring practices because of the many benefits such as receiving federal bonds and tax credits.

Roles Graduates Are Prepared For

REfire graduates are ready for a range of entry- and mid-level food service positions, including:

  • Line Cook

  • Prep Cook

  • Catering Assistant

  • Steward / Dishwasher (with growth potential)

  • Institutional and food service kitchen roles

Hiring with REfire

  • Employers contact our Outreach Specialist to share open positions, desired skills, and hiring timelines.

  • Based on your needs, our team may:

    • Recommend current students nearing program completion

    • Refer REfire graduates who are actively seeking employment

    • Facilitate warm introductions and direct connections

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.Employers may also engage with REfire talent by:

    • Participating in REfire-hosted or partner job fairs

    • Attending on-site hiring events or classroom visits

    • Hosting informational interviews or mock interviews

  • REfire students graduate on a rolling basis, with new talent becoming available regularly. Our Outreach and Reentry team remains available after placement to support both employers and graduates during the transition period.

I WANT TO HIRE

Hear from Second Chance Employers

  • Uptown Cafe

    “We love people who are quick to admit mistakes because that’s how we grow. Being people-smart means understanding how to give quality hospitality and lead with compassion, and doing the little things right —every single day.”

  • Madison Social

    Madison Social

    “One moment in life does not define who you are, and we find the graduates of the program to be hardworking, dependable, and team-oriented. We just want to be part of the spark that gets them back on track.”

  • Community Co-Op Market

    “Watching people who grow from a second chance and seeing that they are ambitious to come to work and want to take care of their families, it makes us feel great just to see someone take advantage of a second chance and making it work. Especially here, we are all about community and it’s better for everyone to see someone who used to be in trouble and now people can see them working here and see they are doing well now.”

Where Are Our Graduates?

REfire Culinary graduates pursue a range of outcomes after completing the program. Many are hired into restaurants, catering companies, fast-casual and quick-service kitchens, or continue working in food service roles. Some graduates are employed in REfire’s second kitchen, which is staffed by program alumni, while others choose to become self-employed. As part of our commitment to long-term success, REfire conducts regular check-ins for one year post-graduation. Employment outcomes—including returns to the justice system—are tracked during this period to ensure accurate, transparent reporting and continued support.