A Culinary Instructor's Second Act Brings Fine Dining To A Soup Kitchen

Warren Schueller (on the left in the purple t-shirt) worked for 28 years as a chemistry teacher in Staten Island, New York.

But at the age of 57 he began working with a group called Careers Through Culinary Arts (CCAP) and transitioned to being a culinary instructor. He trained a wide range of schools including the French Culinary Institute (New York City), Culinary Institute of America, Johnson and Wales and the New York Restaurant School and helped prepare New York City high school students for culinary careers. He retired in 2012.

But you'll find him cooking every Tuesday at the St. Marks Center for Community Renewal in Keansburg, New Jersey. At this area "soup kitchen," Warren and his team are producing upscale meals for 60+ hungry, "down on their luck" individuals each week.

Warren will turn 74 years old next month. And he hopes to keep cooking at St. Mark's soup kitchen "forever."

Earlier this year the St. Mark's Center for Community Renewal embarked on a $50,000 campaign to renovate the kitchen. You can donate to the program by sending your check to Deacon Rose Broderick, St. Mark's Center for Community Renewal, 247 Carr Avenue, Keansburg, NJ 07734.

This week's post has the added benefit of an accompanying video for the podcast by award-winning filmmaker Paul Kaplan.