The Fish Fry, a tradition that’s transcended its Lenten roots to become an annual staple for the devout and the devouring alike, landed at the beginning of the month at locations across the city. One of these is Community Kitchen. This institution will serve all the staples and more at their Hazelwood location; they’ll additionally have a food truck posted at a successive pair of sites for a quick lunch.

The menu is everything that could be expected from this seasonal spring mainstay, delivered deliciously and with care. What sets this Friday feast apart from the average (if excellent) pescetarian repast isn’t just what comes out of the kitchen, it’s who’s working in it.

Here, the majority of chefs cooking your fish dish are students learning practical, marketable skills. And the students at Community Kitchen frequently are folks who need not only education, but support, encouragement, opportunity, and faith.

“Our people are searching for something,” says Bruce W. Harris, Jr., Executive Chef and Training Director.  “Yes, a new career. But also a new life.” Community Kitchen’s programs, all offered at no cost to participants, welcome those frequently shut out of other opportunities due to incarceration, addiction, domestic violence, or just the inability to find a place to learn that sees not only who they are, but what they can be.

Every one has a need to get from where they are to a different place. Some have a little restaurant experience, some have a lot, some none at all.  That part doesn’t matter. “There’s a space for everybody in our industry,” says Harris.

One student currently in attendance in Sharron Watson, scheduled to finish the program this summer. “I always loved to cook,” she says. “Now the bigger picture is to elevate your life.” She participated in a recent guest chef dinner, with EVY’s Michael Godlewski, which gave her the chance to serve patrons as well as prepare the meal. The experience was inspirational, and she now looks to eventually have a small bistro that also does catering.

In the meantime, Watson, as well as the rest of the Community Kitchen staff and student body, is reelin’ hungry diners in for the fish fry, and doing so beautifully.  The full menu includes hand-battered haddock on a homestyle bun, hand-cut french fries, coleslaw, haluski, mac & cheese, and pierogies, with Hazel Grove Brewing in the house throughout and Girl Scouts with cookie happiness March 21st. Both dine-in and take-out will be available every Friday through April 18th from 11 am to 7 pm.

The food truck brings fish on a bun or dish, mac & cheese, and slaw, plus combo meal options. It rolls up to Cinema Drive in South Side Works on Fridays through March 28th, then Community Kitchen’s soon-to-be new location (more on that to come!)  of 304 Jumonville April 4th, 11th, and 18th. Lunch will be served from 11 am to 2 pm for each location. The truck will then return to home base to supplement dinner service from 4-7 pm.

Learn more about the fish fry, as well as Community Kitchen, here! And follow the food truck’s on Instagram at @CKPghFoodTruck!