Less than a year ago the Economic Opportunity Program in Elmira received more than $600,000 from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. With that money they decided to create a program to help people land a good paying job in the food industry. And as our Vince Slomsky tells us, the program was put to the test at the E.O.P's 45th anniversary dinner.

ELMIRA, N.Y. -- A gourmet meal, dim lighting, and some soft tunes. The Economic Opportunity Program celebrated its 45th anniversary in style Tuesday.

It was such a relaxing atmosphere. Not so much for some guys. They are apprentice interns learning exactly what it's like to work in the food industry. It's not one of those popular cooking shows, but it's just as intense.

"I put an immense amount of pressure on the students. I let them know that there had been catering before but we're going to take it to a level that Elmira and Ernie Davis Community Center and EOP has never seen," said Kaylen Knox, culinary arts instructor.

It's a new E.O.P. program funded completely by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act called the Community Food for Jobs Program. Fifteen local people are being paid to train in everything from food preparation to job interviews. They started back in January and faced their first big test Tuesday night as they had to prepare all the meals.

Although it may have been stressful at times, they all know they are lucky to be in this position.

"I've been unemployed for a year now. This is opening up doors so I can get a good job," said Jordan Harris, one of the apprentices.

"I just wanted to do it and now it's become a career that I'd like to pursue," said Candace Payne, another apprentice.

They've gone from unemployed to working for minimum wage as an apprentice and now in just a few short weeks they'll graduate from the program and be all but guaranteed a job.

"These people will be qualified beyond a shadow of a doubt. I'd be comfortable hiring them," said Knox.

"A couple employees already got job offers. They've only had one interview so far and they've already got job offers," said Harris.

If these reactions could say anything, I'd say the students passed the test.

The fifteen students will graduate in April. Then starting May 3 a brand new class of apprentice interns will go through the same program in an effort to land a job.