Metro East food truck apprenticeship program expands nationwide

ST. LOUIS - Demetrius Gower once ran a catering business from his mother’s home.   He now operates Big Meechie’s, an award-winning food truck.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else in the world,” he said.    

Gower completed a food truck apprenticeship program, developed with support from retired Brigadier General John Michel, co-founder of the Soulcial Kitchen Campus.

“Food trucks fail at 80 percent in five years,” said Michel. “Let’s solve that problem. Being an ex-military general, I’m like, ‘We need a training program.’”

He credits partnerships with local, state and federal agencies for what he calls the only  accredited, mobile, culinary apprenticeship program in the world.

An event at the Soulcial Kitchen Campus in Swansea on Monday celebrated the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s plan to take the apprenticeship program nationwide.

“We recognize a need throughout the country of professional development for entrepreneurs who are in the food truck space,” said David Faro, senior manager of workforce and business development for the National Restaurant Association. “Southwest Illinois and this region should be more than proud.  They’re an example to the rest of the country.”

Tony Fuhrmann, director of Madison County Training and Employment, helped introduce Faro to the apprenticeship program.

“There are a lot of people here who are looking for results and not who gets credit,” said Fuhrmann. 

Michel is also president of the Food is Love Foundation.  He has been recognized for the Currency of Caring program that’s helped serve more than 350,000 hot meals to individuals facing hardships.

“More people will be blessed with great food by amazing operators through our food truck apprenticeship program,” said Michel. “This is absolutely a win-win situation.”