Recently, Suzeline took a leap of faith and bet on herself. She packed up her life in New Jersey and traveled to Orlando to begin her journey.
Suzeline settled into a customer support role and quickly learned she wanted a career providing greater satisfaction and purpose. She has been interested in cooking since high school, watching YouTube videos and cooking shows to learn specific recipes, but she never considered it a career choice until she saw an ad for Second Harvest Food Bank’s Culinary Training Program on the bus.
“For the first time, I am putting myself first,” Suzeline says about her decision to apply to the program.
Suzeline’s confidence grew throughout the program as she learned to apply the hard and soft skills lessons. Before joining the program, Suzeline had never cooked for more than 8 to 10 people and is now creating meals for larger groups while still maintaining the quality and timing to deliver meals fresh for guests.
One side of the program is understanding measuring quantities, honing knife skills, and understanding how to create diverse cultural cuisines. The other lessons home in on life skills, like writing a resume, budgeting, teamwork, and communication. Most crucial among all new chefs is learning to be coachable; she has taken that lesson in stride.
Suzeline describes the program as falling in love again. “When you love something and you have the skills, it makes it better,” she says. “It’s a way to a better future.”
Revisiting her passion for cooking has lit a fire in Suzeline. She has a renewed sense of purpose and looks forward to learning and growing on her new career path.
The Culinary Training Program is transforming lives.
Applications are now being accepted for the next class.
