New Orleans, Orleans Parish story
A Lesson in Hospitality
In Central City, there's a restaurant where the menu is a tool for transformation. Founded in 1996 by Craig Cuccia and Reverend Harry Tompson, Café Reconcile is a nonprofit that d…
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In Central City, there's a restaurant where the menu is a tool for transformation. Founded in 1996 by Craig Cuccia and Reverend Harry Tompson, Café Reconcile is a nonprofit that doubles as a professional kitchen. Here, at-risk youth receive culinary and life skills training, learning the ropes of the hospitality industry while serving up soul-food classics.
From fried catfish and shrimp po' boys to smothered turkey necks, the food is authentic, but the mission is the real draw. Every lunch served between Tuesday and Friday helps a young adult prepare for a career in the city's entertainment and restaurant world, proving that a great meal can also be a great start to a new life.
Updated June 2026