There are still a couple of spots left to take part in the first 12-week training in culinary arts being offered by the new Fresh Start Culinary Arts program geared for unemployed and underemployed people in the Gorge to train them for family wage jobs in the region’s commercial food industry.  The non-profit program was developed by members of Riverside Community Church in downtown Hood River, where the program will be based utilizing a recently completed commercial kitchen.  Kathy Watson is one of the organizers of the program and owned a restaurant for ten years, and says they are looking to train those needing work to be able to move into a local commercial food industry in need of qualified workers.  Students will also spend time on local farms understanding what it’s like to buy from local farmers.  Watson says at the end of the program students will be ready for entry-level line cook jobs in restaurants, hospitals, and school kitchens.  To apply for the program, go on-line to freshstartculinaryarts.org and download an application.