By Randy Savoie

New Orleans Job Corps Center Culinary trainees prepared and served 150 meals to homeless and poor persons Tuesday at St. Jude Community Center on the edge of the city’s historic` French Quarter.

The trainees served up a local classic- red beans and rice with sausage along with hot French bread and chef salad.

Culinary trainee Ahmad Carter, who completes his trade on Friday, said experiences like these prepare him for a career in the New Orleans restaurant industry.

“Today, we had to cook for a lot of people and in a restaurant you have to cook for a lot of people in a fast-paced environment,” said Ahmad. “So, events like these help me get the expereience I will need.”

Ahmad said the customers had no complaints and that doing something for the less fortunate in the community did his heart good.

“They were pretty happy. We got plenty of compliments on the food. They even came back for seconds,” said Ahmad. “It feels pretty good. It makes me feel all warm inside to make someone else happy.”