OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – INTEGRIS Health employees who have a desire to learn the culinary arts now have the opportunity to pursue new full-tuition scholarships for culinary training at Francis Tuttle Technology Center.
INTEGRIS and Francis Tuttle established the Culinary Scholarship Program to foster talent in the culinary arts, providing scholarship recipients the specialized skills needed to create nutritious and delicious meals for hospital patients, according to an INTEGRIS news release.
INTEGRIS Health Food Services Community Scholarship Program is partnering with PepsiCo to provide current INTEGRIS caregivers full scholarships into Francis Tuttle Technology Center’s culinary arts program.
“The new scholarship will provide our caregivers access to a respected culinary program such as Francis Tuttle, gaining valuable skills and abilities which will translate to improved care for our patients,” said Jeff Bennett, the director of food services at INTEGRIS Health. “Some of our caregivers may not have an ability to pursue an opportunity such as this on their own, and this scholarship will put the program within reach, which is really exciting.”
Francis Tuttle’s culinary program teaches students fundamental cooking competencies through hands-on training and onsite practical experiences.
PepsiCo supports several other scholarships that aid individuals pursuing careers in food science and technology.
The scholarship also allows for Francis Tuttle culinary students to complete their required practical hours within an INTEGRIS Health kitchen.
Food Services Community Scholarship Program participants will experience a comprehensive curriculum that exceeds traditional culinary instruction. The curriculum includes specialized training on nutritional differences, dietary restrictions and menu planning for diverse patient populations, according to the news release.
Students will help create and test recipes that align with the hospital’s dietary guidelines, ensuring that meals are both nourishing and enjoyable.
“I believe that proper nutrition is a cornerstone of patient recovery and wellness,” said Benjamin Robinett, the system executive chef at INTEGRIS Health. “This great opportunity will help students pursue their passion for culinary arts, demonstrate thoughtfulness and presentation not always associated with a hospital setting, and prepare them to contribute to the health and well-being of our community.”
INTEGRIS is investing in culinary arts education to improve patient outcomes and enhance the overall health care experience in the communities it serves, health system officials said.
The scholarship will be available to the class of January 2025. Further information will be provided in the coming weeks.
