BAKERSFIELD, CA - Covenant Community Services is expanding its operations and opportunities for former foster youth in our community. With the help of a new executive chef, it's taking the brand to another level of service.
Covenant is known for its coffee and helping former foster youth in our community.
Covenant Community Services CEO Randy Martin, said, "The ultimate goal of Covenant Coffee, Covenant Community Services is to help youth and help them find hope."
With three locations: north Chester, the Racquet Club downtown, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital and a new Shafter coffee house in the works, Covenant is bringing in an executive chef.
"He was formerly at the Padre Hotel. Andrew Paparella has been a chef around the world and he's doing some really great things for us at the racquet club," said Martin.
Andrew Paparella is creating new menus and working with former foster youth.
"Teaching them the ins and outs of hospitality, baristaing, cooking, serving. So, moving forward in the workforce, if they want to work in the hospitality industry, I'm just adding another avenue for them to follow," said Paparella.
Many of the teens have rough pasts they are working to overcome. The same thing with Paparella.
According to court records -- he is on probation for felony identity theft. Police in Arizona accused Paparella of stealing credit card information from customers at a restaurant he owned there. He pleaded guilty in 2010 to three felonies and received probation.
Paparella did not want to talk about it.
Martin says he wants to focus on the positive.
"We're real excited about just being able to hire more individuals, more former foster youth and get them trained in culinary skills. We look forward to launching some culinary classes for our youth," Martin said.
Plans for expansion also include more catering and themed dinners at the racquet club.
The next themed dinner at the racquet club is a murder mystery dinner July 19th.
Covenant is known for its coffee and helping former foster youth in our community.
Covenant Community Services CEO Randy Martin, said, "The ultimate goal of Covenant Coffee, Covenant Community Services is to help youth and help them find hope."
With three locations: north Chester, the Racquet Club downtown, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital and a new Shafter coffee house in the works, Covenant is bringing in an executive chef.
"He was formerly at the Padre Hotel. Andrew Paparella has been a chef around the world and he's doing some really great things for us at the racquet club," said Martin.
Andrew Paparella is creating new menus and working with former foster youth.
"Teaching them the ins and outs of hospitality, baristaing, cooking, serving. So, moving forward in the workforce, if they want to work in the hospitality industry, I'm just adding another avenue for them to follow," said Paparella.
Many of the teens have rough pasts they are working to overcome. The same thing with Paparella.
According to court records -- he is on probation for felony identity theft. Police in Arizona accused Paparella of stealing credit card information from customers at a restaurant he owned there. He pleaded guilty in 2010 to three felonies and received probation.
Paparella did not want to talk about it.
Martin says he wants to focus on the positive.
"We're real excited about just being able to hire more individuals, more former foster youth and get them trained in culinary skills. We look forward to launching some culinary classes for our youth," Martin said.
Plans for expansion also include more catering and themed dinners at the racquet club.
The next themed dinner at the racquet club is a murder mystery dinner July 19th.