At the Alliance of Mercy, the course combines culinary techniques, entrepreneurship, and human development to expand professional opportunities and strengthen relationships.

Vocational training can open doors to the job market, strengthen small businesses, and help build new life projects. At Vila Cuore, an initiative of the Alliance of Mercy in Taipas, in the northern zone of São Paulo, learning in gastronomy goes beyond recipes: it combines technical training, entrepreneurship, and human development to expand the possibilities of autonomy for the participants.

This is what Vanessa Soares Azevedo, 37, a resident of Perus, and Gislaine, 46, who lives in Jardim Rincão, report. Both had experience in the kitchen before enrolling in the course, but they found in the training new knowledge to develop their activities and look at their own work and daily relationships in a different way.

Learning to be an entrepreneur and valuing one's own work.

Vanessa came to Vila Cuore on the recommendation of a friend who had already taken the course. Passionate about gastronomy, she was already making cakes to sell, but still had doubts about how to turn this skill into a more profitable activity.

The training broadened her perspectives and presented professional possibilities she hadn't yet considered, such as working as... personal chef, preparing meals in clients' homes based on menus planned according to their needs.

Among the lessons learned, pricing was one of the most impactful. Vanessa realized she was selling her products for less than she could charge because she didn't fully understand the calculations needed to set prices. “"I realized I was selling far below what I could get.", account.

In addition to culinary techniques, she highlights the importance of entrepreneurship and personal development classes. For Vanessa, reflecting on her own character, personality, and the influence of her attitudes on the lives of others has made her rethink how she interacts with those around her.

Gislaine was already an independent entrepreneur, producing quiches and mini puddings. Upon enrolling in the course, she realized she needed to better organize her processes and learn how to calculate production costs. Now, the knowledge she has acquired helps her plan her activities and make decisions with greater clarity.

The training also connects with other aspects of her life. A Nutrition student, Gislaine sees learning as an opportunity to expand her knowledge about food and prepare recipes that better meet her family's preferences.

An education that also transforms relationships.

For Gislaine, being in the kitchen is a moment of pleasure and mental relaxation. She describes the experience as time dedicated to doing something she enjoys, as well as an opportunity to learn and interact with different people.

This interaction is part of another dimension of the course: human development. Alongside technical content and entrepreneurship, participants are invited to reflect on empathy, respect, and responsibility in relationships. And Gislaine highlights precisely this learning: recognizing that each person has their differences and that it is necessary to learn to respect others in everyday life.

This proposal is part of the work developed by the Vila Cuore Gastronomic Center, which uses gastronomy as an instrument for human development, productive inclusion, and strengthening autonomy. The initiative offers professional training and encourages participants to apply what they learn to job opportunities and their own businesses.

The courses are conducted in partnership with Bia Rabinovich Institute, a collaboration that contributes to expanding access to training and professional development opportunities.

By combining technical knowledge, entrepreneurship, and human development, Vila Cuore helps prepare students not only to cook, but also to value their work, organize their projects, and build more respectful relationships.

It is a training program that considers the whole person and recognizes that new opportunities also begin when someone discovers their abilities and learns to put them into practice.

You can be a part of it!

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