Culinary Training Gave Krystal a Career and Hope

When Krystal started the Culinary Training Program, she did not expect it to change her life the way it did.

“I didn’t think it was anything, and it was more than I could have expected,” Krystal said. “I wish everybody could come to this program. It’s giving me hope that I can have a career (to better support) my kids.”

How Workforce Training Changed Tiquana’s Life

Tiquana and her daughter moved to the Orlando area from South Carolina last year and were just settling into the community. Her family lived in a hotel while Tiquana was saving money from her job at a local big-box store to move them into an apartment. 

Her dream was to work in the culinary field, but cost and transportation were barriers to the educational programs she had researched. She was struggling to pay bills because her hours at work had been cut dramatically.

From Classroom Curiosity to Culinary Career

Blandina’s interest in cooking began in high school, where she spent two years taking culinary classes. The first year covered the basics, but by her senior year, she was in the kitchen trying out recipes, building new skills, and making real dishes.

“It really brought out the joy of cooking. It was really enjoyable for me, and just to learn new things, because I don’t really cook at home all that much. Being in the class, it was really fun,” she recalled.

Courtney Found the Courage to Change her Life

Courtney learned a new career-sustaining skillset at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s Culinary Training Program, but the biggest change she experienced was in her confidence.

When she first started the program, Courtney expressed uncertainty that it was the right path for her and wasn’t confident she could work in the culinary field. She lived in emergency housing with her son and heard about the program from a social worker there.