Derrick's culinary journey is a testament to the power of personal growth. His love for cooking, instilled by his grandmother, is the seed that blossomed into a passion. His first taste of the food service industry came as he unexpectedly found himself in a leadership role in a nonprofit kitchen. Reflecting on this challenging experience, Derrick sees it as a turning point that sparked a more profound interest in food service.
When Derrick enrolled in Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida's Culinary Training Program, he nurtured his passion and set the stage for a career transformation. He describes the program as “a dream come true that dropped into my lap.”
The hands-on lessons in the kitchen and the life skills curriculum contextualized his past experiences and opened his eyes to a bright new future.
“Every day I'm learning something new, preparing for other allergies, or diets like plant-based,” Derrick explains, adding, “I never knew a non-meat Ruben could taste good.” Beyond the kitchen, Derrick's time in the program has taught him valuable life skills like budgeting and teamwork.
“There is always more room to grow, always more to learn,” affirms Derrick. His thirst for knowledge and growth is evident.
Post-graduation, Derrick plans to get a job in the food industry to continue building on the foundational skills learned in the program. His long-term vision includes a food truck, where he plans to serve and share his love for cooking with a wider audience. Derrick looks forward to creating and working toward new dreams, thanks to you.
