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Culinary Training Students and Graduates

We began our Culinary Training program five years ago at no cost to students. Since then, it has provided training for more than 400 people and each one of those graduates have gone on to a career in the food industry. Our students and graduates inspire us daily.

Meet Dezmond

Dezmond initially thought his career would be in technology but couldn’t resist the allure of culinary arts.
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Meet Pascale

Anything is possible if you keep working on your goal. I'm grateful to be able to seize this opportunity and turn it into the career I've dreamed of, said Pascale.
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Meet Nerlande

Going to school, working, and caring for my kids was not easy, but I made it, Nerlande said on graduation day. "I feel happy and proud of myself and my career."
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Meet Elvin

I said to myself, 'Now is the time to do it because I have the time to do it.' Elvin said. "Cooking is something I've wanted to do for a long time."
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Meet Nate

He had dreams of going to culinary school but knew he'd have to work for years to afford even one class. That's when he learned about Second Harvest Food Bank's no-cost Culinary Training Program.
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Meet LeMoris

I was finally ready to make a change, says LeMoris as he recalls what led him to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida's Culinary Training Program.
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Meet Paul

The biggest lesson I learned in the Culinary Training Program is to be coachable, to take feedback and look for opportunities to improve, in the kitchen and in life.
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Meet Yolanda

I was raised by my grandmother and became her caretaker for the last several years, she explains. "Now I am turning back the clock, going to school, and making my life better for myself."
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Meet Matilde

It may seem small, but to me, this was a big deal, says Matilde. "And it's not just one life my life that changed. It's my whole family. Thank you."
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Meet Enas

From the first day I walked in, I felt like I had an angel around me. I feel like I have a big family again.
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Meet Chef Kenneth

The day I was introduced to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida was one of the greatest days of my life.
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Meet Clarimar

A few years ago, Clarimar and her husband escaped from the rising violence, economic instability and food shortages in Venezuela. Once they arrived in Central Florida, they set out to rebuild their lives.
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Meet Rosemarie

After a divorce, losing her home and becoming her daughter's caregiver, it was time for Rosemarie to start over for herself. She turned to the one passion she's always had, cooking.
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Meet Luzmary

When Luzmary Gomez was 17, she found herself thousands of miles away from her hometown, her extended family and her friends. She fled the political unrest and violence in Venezuela.
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Meet Sofi

Originally from Haiti, Sofi left her home in pursuit of opportunity. She knew she had a deep passion for food and cooking. If she was given a chance to succeed, she knew she would take it.
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View more Culinary Training Student “Recipe for Success” stories

View Stories of Hope and Courage