IN2WORK (I2W) students at the Madison Correctional Institution in Ohio had a special prize for winning their ACES Competition, a showcase for their culinary chops—feeding more than 40,000 incarcerated people across the Ohio Department of Corrections as a special treat in April.
Aramark Correctional Services (ACS) and Madison Correctional Institution hosted the successful IN2WORK ACES Competition at the end of February 2024. This culinary showdown showcased the talent, creativity, and teamwork of IN2WORK students. Three teams—Team Ketch-up, Team Five Stars of Creativity, and Team Diversity—took on known and mystery ingredients to create delightful dishes to a panel of judges. Team Five Stars of Creativity came out on top with a Boneless Chicken Thigh with Pineapple and Coconut Salsa followed by a Glazed Pineapple and Coconut Cake for dessert.
“This was a great way to highlight the cooperation and coordination between our staff and partners to create an event that was not only fun but also had real value to the people competing,” said Annette Chambers-Smith, Director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
I2W offers food and retail safety training through both classroom and hands-on-training, taking a phased approach to learning. The I2W Food Service program focuses on safety in the kitchen, including storing, preparing, and serving food safely. Graduates of the program earn the ServSafe Managers certification from the National Restaurant Association.
“As our IN2WORK program has rapidly grown and matured, we have looked for ways to enhance the experience for our students,” said Nicole McVaugh, Director for IN2WORK. “Hosting these ACES Competitions with our partners builds on the cooking competencies and cooperative spirit that our program teaches—it provides a creative outlet and a sense of pride.”
The goal is to help justice-impacted individuals take control of their lives by giving them the tools, experience, certifications, and confidence they need to support themselves and their families as they transition back to life in their communities. IN2WORK has more than 11,000 graduates, and more than 50% of our partner facilities participate in the program.
“I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact that IN2WORK program has made in our kitchens—it has changed the culture that we work in,” said Gretchen Slussar, Aramark’s I2W and Retail Program Manager for Ohio. “We have so many trained and knowledgeable incarcerated individuals wanting to learn and grow. They are preparing for their futures and changing their lives The ACES Competition allowed them to showcase some of their skills and talents. It allowed them to evolve, show their worth, and even have a little fun!”
