Celebrating 25 New Careers

On Saturday, November 9, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida recognized 25 Culinary Training Program students during a graduation ceremony. This ceremony also celebrated the program’s 500th graduate. Food bank staff, family, friends, and employers joined the celebration to recognize each student’s achievements.

“Find your forte and perfect it.”

Second Harvest’s Culinary Training Program provides students facing barriers to employment with the hands-on technical kitchen experience and skills, setting them on a path to excel in life. During the 16-week program, guest chefs are invited to spend time with students to provide enrichment opportunities. These experiences, with new voices and perspectives, allow students to explore diverse paths within the culinary industry.

A Dream Come True

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. 

Xavier Finds a Fulfilling New Career

There can be a lot of pressure on young adults to attend college and follow a traditional career path. For some people, like Xavier, career pathways are journeys of self-discovery. 

Xavier’s goal is to find purpose and fulfillment in his life. He explored several different paths, including auto mechanics and computer engineering. He found he needed a career that provided an opportunity to be creative and hands-on.