Bruce never considered a career in food service until he cooked alongside a chef at a local rehabilitation center. That experience sparked a passion for cooking within him. That pivotal moment inspired him to enroll in Second Harvest Food Bank’s free Culinary Training Program.
Over 16 weeks, Bruce and his classmates learned food safety, knife skills, and how to work in a professional kitchen. He embraced opportunities to try new techniques like sushi making and cake decorating. He also learned life skills like teamwork, communication, budgeting, and goal setting.
“The people here believed in me and pushed me to be all I can be,” said Bruce at graduation.
Since then, Bruce has been pursuing an associate degree in culinary management while working as a kitchen supervisor at a local nonprofit kitchen.
“Not long ago, I was in a very dark place, just like many of the people I cook for today,” says Bruce empathetically. “But now it’s in my heart to go back to those dark places and be a light in the life of others.”
New skills for new opportunities
The Culinary Training Program is transforming lives.
