Culinary Arts for Hire

Let YouthWorks Cater Your Next Event!

YouthWorks Catering is a Santa Fe-based social enterprise that lends expertise and ease to your catering needs for special events, daily meal delivery, and corporate functions. YouthWorks Catering and Culinary Program provide youth with a strong start in their careers in the culinary arts.

Our driven and dedicated leadership team, Chef Roo and consulting Chef David Sundberg, offer their expertise in food preparation, presentation, catering logistics, seamless front-of-house service, and bartending. From office meal delivery to full service catering for your special events, YouthWorks Catering is prepared to provide outstanding service for your event of any size. 

For menus, pricing, and scheduling, email us at culinary@santafeyouthworks.org 

Submit a Catering Request Form Here:

https://forms.gle/rj6QN4NAwi6eiMQd6

YW Awarded Major Federal Grant

YouthWorks has been awarded a grant of $1.1 million over three years to engage sixty-two disconnected youth and young adults in job training and certification.

One team of young people will work with Santa Fe Habitat for Humanity constructing homes for low-income families. 

The other team will train and earn certification in the culinary field under the direction of Chef Carmen Rodriguez, YouthWorks culinary program coordinator.

 

This grant is one of only two awarded in New Mexico, with sixty-five grants awarded nationally.

According to the Department of Labor, these awards “mark a significant expansion of YouthBuild.” The new model allows grantees to offer training in locally in-demand industries beyond construction, such as healthcare, information technology, hospitality and retail services, and logistics.

For more details about the award, click here.

YouthWorks Honors MLK Day

YouthWorks commemorated Martin Luther King Day, January 21, with a day of service honoring 200 Santa Fe first responders.

Under the direction of Chef Carmen Rodriguez and Sous Chef Jackie Gibbs, a team of Youthworks students baked 80 loaves of banana bread and 45 dozen chocolate chip cookies to deliver to nearly 250 police officers and firefighters on Monday at fourteen sites around the city.

Youthworks students Joseph Salazar and Audi Rodella bake and package treats all day Friday to deliver to first responders in honor of MLK Day.

According to YouthWorks Founder and Executive Director Melynn Schuyler, “YouthWorks creates opportunities for youth to learn, grow, and give back to the community.

“Giving back invests our young people with a sense of personal pride, and shows them that no matter how old they are or what background they come from, they have so much they can offer our community.”

YouthWorks staffer Katrina Ortiz (center left) and student Liberty Adkins (center right) deliver treats to local fire station.

NM Magazine Covers YouthWorks

Photo by John McCauley

YouthWorks made the pages of the latest issue of New Mexico Magazine!

In a piece titled “The Food Truck Different,” the magazine says the YouthWorks food truck offers “good food” for a “good cause.”

To see all the coverage, click here.

What Our Catering Clients Say . . .

The party went swimmingly! I so appreciated everyone’s efforts—the food was yummy and the crew totally professional.

Stephen Beili

Del Norte Credit Union Supports YW

From left, Youthworks participant, Youthworks Executive Director Melynn Schuyler, DNCU President CEO Chuck Valenti and DNCU Web Marketing Specialist Alexandra Pratt. Courtesy photo.

Del Norte Credit Union employees presented YouthWorks with a check for $8,500 to support the organization’s drive to qualify for $15,000 in matching funds from a local Santa Fe couple.

DNCU’s President/CEO Chuck Valenti said. “DNCU’s mission of improving lives, begins with improving the lives of our youth so that we can achieve a brighter future together.”

For the full story, click here.

YouthWorks Feeds the Democrats

YouthWorks was hired to cater a feast for more than 300 Democrats on Saturday, August 25, at the Mayor’s Barbecue, a get-together at the Del Norte Boys and Girls Club of Santa Fe on Valentine Way.

The YouthWorks Catering crew poses for a photo with Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democratic candidate for governor of New Mexico.

Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democratic candidate for governor, was in attendance along with Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber and other special guests.

What Our Catering Clients Say . . .

The food was fabulous. YUMMM! Great servers. Don’t know how it could have been better.

Wendy Pomeroy

Treasurer, Santa Fe Democratic Party

YouthWorks Profiled in NationSwell

Photo by Paul Ross

A former gang member, Carmen Rodriguez found his calling in restaurants. Now he’s helping other at-risk youth find theirs.

In their latest edition, NationSwell features the story of Chef Carmen Rodriguez and YouthWorks Catering.

Click here to read how Chef Carmen and his wife Penny have joined with Melynn Schuyler at YouthWorks to serve up a future for at-risk youth.

NationSwell is a leading social impact media company dedicated to powering the solutions and innovations that will move our country forward.

YW Wins Rio Grande School Contract

Rio Grande School has selected YouthWorks to cater family-style hot lunches for their students for the 2018-2019 school year.

Families will sign up for meal service in advance online, and YouthWorks Catering will deliver and serve the lunches.

Prepared under the direction of Chef Carmen Rodriguez, the menu will change weekly, featuring such dishes as Hawaiian Pizza, Chicken Stir Fry, Lasagna Bolognese, and Beef Chimichanga.

The Food Truck @ the Coe Center

The YouthWorks food truck will be at the Coe Center at 1590 B Pacheco Street on Tuesday, August 14 from 5 – 7 pm.

Come for the public opening of the IMPRINT exhibit, meet the artists, and stop by for tasty eats prepared by YouthWorks Catering under the direction of Chef Carmen Rodriguez.

Menu

Native American Tacos $3

Red Chile Braised Buffalo Barbacoa with Chile del Arbol Salsa & Grilled Wild Onion

Mole de Pavo with Shredded Cabbage & Tahini Crema & Toasted Black & White Sesame Seeds

Guajillo Mushrooms with Prairie Carrot & Radish Escabeche

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Beverages

Hibiscus & Mint Agua Fresca $2

Blood Orange Prickly Pear Agua Fresca $2

Bottled Water $1

 

The Food Truck @ La Familia Fiesta

The YouthWorks food truck will be at the La Familia Health and Wellness Fiesta at 1035 Alto Street on Saturday, August 11, from 10 am to 2 pm.

We’ll be serving delicious healthful fare prepared by YouthWorks Catering under the direction of Chef Carmen Rodriguez.

La Familia’s family-friendly community event will offer free health and dental screenings plus cooking demos, massage, Zumba, face-painting, entertainment, and more!

Menu

Red Chile Teriyaki Chicken Street Tacos (3) $6
With shredded cabbage and sriracha citrus hot sauce (GF)

Crispy Korean Brussels Sprouts $6
Charred brussels sprouts tossed in sweet and spicy Korean bbq sauce (V, VG)

Fried Riced Cauliflower Buddha Bowl $6
Riced cauliflower stir-fried with seasonal veggies and Buddha Belly sauce (V, VG)

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Add-on $2

Red Chile Teriyaki Chicken

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Beverages $2 / Refill $1

Pinalada (Pineapple & Lemonada)

(GF) Gluten Free  (VG) Vegetarian  (V) Vegan

 

The Food Truck @ Las Golondrinas

The YouthWorks food truck will be at Las Golondrinas (334 Los Pinos Road) Saturday and Sunday, August 4 and 5.

Stop by and sample the tasty fare prepared by YouthWorks Catering under the direction of Chef Carmen Rodriguez.

Menu

Crispy Korean Brussels Sprouts $6
Charred brussels sprouts tossed in sweet and spicy Korean barbecue sauce (V,VG)
Fried Riced Cauliflower Buddha Bowl $7
Riced cauliflower stir fried with seasonal veggies & Buddha Belly sauce (V,VG)
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Add-on $2
Red or green chile pork belly candy or achiote pineapple chicken
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Pig Newton (2) $6
Graham cracker biscuits filled with spicy pork belly candy, bacon & fig jam

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Beverages $4
Mint Jamaica Agua Fresca 
Ginger Melonada

 

(VG) Vegetarian  (V) Vegan

 

Visit YW Catering at Spanish Market

Join us for breakfast or lunch at Spanish Market on the Plaza on Saturday and Sunday, July 28 and July 29.

Our booth will be open all day, starting with breakfast at 8:30 am.  Look for the YouthWorks sign on Washington Avenue right in front of Tees N Skis.

All proceeds benefit job training for young people at YouthWorks.

Menu

Bocadillo Spanish Style Egg Sandwich (Served 8:30 am to 11:00 am)

Your Choice $7

Caramelized Onion, Egg and Cheese on Baguette Chorizo, Caramelized Onion,Egg and Cheese on Baguette Tofu, Caramelized Onion and Cheese on Baguette (V,VG)

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Pinchitos

Skewers Served over Yellow Rice with Romesco Sauce

Your Choice $7

Seasoned Lamb (GF) Spiced Chicken (GF) Grilled Vegetables (GF,VG,V)

Yellow Rice with Romesco Sauce (GF,VG,V) $4

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Drinks

Bottled Water $1 Virgin Sangria $4

(GF) Gluten Free  (VG) Vegetarian  (V) Vegan

 

What Our Catering Clients Say . . .

The food from YouthWorks catering service was both innovative and delicious. I was also very impressed by the professional service the YouthWorks team provided.

Jeremy Mier

American Institute of Architects

YouthWorks Caters AIA Event

Members of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) feasted on hors d’oeuvres prepared by YouthWorks Catering for the AIA summer party on July 13 at the Nedra Matteucci Galleries.

Menu

Bacon Wrapped Dates (GF)

Tortilla Espanola (GF,VG)

Barbacoa Tamalito (GF)

Chicken Tinga & Black Bean Empanada (GF)

Roasted Fennel & Artichoke Crostino (GF,VG)

(GF) Gluten Free  (VG) Vegetarian

 

Need catering for your own event?

For an estimate, complete the form here, and Penny Rodriguez will be in touch.

For more information about menus, pricing, and scheduling, email Penny at culinary@santafeyouthworks.org or call her at 505-989-1855.

What Our Catering Clients Say . . .

Thank you for the extraordinary party the YouthWorks team made possible today! I’ll be recommending them to everyone I know who wants help with a party!

Alan Webber

Mayor of Santa Fe

YouthWorks Caters Mayor’s Event

YouthWorks Catering was tapped to cater the half-day session at the Community Convention Center today during which Mayor Alan Webber’s transition working groups reported their findings.

Through the late morning and early afternoon, participants feasted on barbecued pork buns, roasted mushroom sandwiches, and chocolate chip cookies prepared by the YouthWorks crew.

Following the event, Mayor Webber joined the YouthWorks team—along with Chef Carmen Rodriguez (right) and Youthworks Executive Director Melynn Schuyler (left)—for a photo to commemorate the event.

YouthWorks Caters NOMCON

Long-time YouthWorks supporter Representative Ben Ray Luján visits YouthWorks at the first national gathering of the Nation of Makers Conference (NOMCON).

YouthWorks Catering, led by Chef Carmen and Penny Rodriguez, fed nearly 400 participants breakfast, lunch, and dinner over the two-day event at the Santa Fe Convention Center.

It took “all hands on deck” to manage the catering for two days of meals for such a large group. Here the catering crew listens to last-minute instructions from Chef Carmen.

NOMCON is a focal point for a movement empowered by increasingly affordable digital tools like 3-D printers, laser cutters and computer-controlled cutting machines that make cheap prototyping and manufacturing accessible.

YouthWorks Feeds Ute Fire Crew

YouthWorks volunteered to help feed the crews working the Ute Park fire in Northern New Mexico.

The YouthWorks catering team made and delivered sixty-six dozen—that’s nearly eight hundred—chocolate-chip cookies as their contribution to help feed the crew members as well as local residents who had to be evacuated.

In thanks, YouthWorks received this note:

YouthWorks Celebrates Supporters

YouthWorks celebrated its supporters with an evening of wine, hors d’oeuvres, and conversation at the High Summit home of YouthWorks Board Chair Fred Seibel and his wife Molly.

Guests had the opportunity to meet and chat with YouthWorks Executive Director Melynn Schuyler, members of the YouthWorks board, and the young people from YouthWorks Catering, who planned and prepared all of the hors d’oeuvres for the event.

The menu showcased the capabilities of the group, led by Chef Carmen and Penny Rodriguez. The catering service is now available for hire for both public and private events.

Menu

Roasted Fennel & Artichoke Heart Crostini with Sun Dried Tomato Basil Pesto (VG)

Stuffed Endive with Local Goat Cheese, Pinon, Honey & Red Onion Jam (GF) (VG)

Albondigas con Flame Roasted Tomato Romesco (GF)

Crispy Prosciutto Tuscan Cups Filled with Tuscan Melon Relish (GF)

Cucumber Roll, Coriander Seared Ahi Tuna & English Cucumber 

with Wasabi Pickled Ginger Japanese Mayo (GF)

Imported & Domestic Cheese Board with Fresh and Dried Fruits (GF)

 

(GF) Gluten Free  (VG) Vegetarian  (V) Vegan

 

For information about menus, pricing, and scheduling, email Penny Rodriguez at culinary@santafeyouthworks.org or call her at 505-989-1855.