At 48, Donald did not expect any more new, exciting opportunities.
While a student in Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s Culinary Training Program, Donald was in a residential recovery program at a local rehabilitation center. His required work therapy in the kitchen there led to the discovery that he loved to cook.
“This has shown me I have a lot of opportunities that I didn’t think I’d ever have again,” he said. “At my age, I felt like I was always going to be stuck in dead-end jobs, and this has opened a door to advancement, and a trade and an actual career. That’s another thing I never thought I’d have – a career. I thought I’d die working at a dead-end job, never able to retire. So that’s what it’s done for me.”
The Second Harvest Culinary Training Program is a 16-week continuing education opportunity offering adults facing barriers to employment with the culinary and life-skills training needed to pursue a full-time sustainable career in the food industry.
In the 16-week program, students attend classes Monday through Friday in person at the Food Bank.
Students enrolled in the program gain valuable hands-on experience learning in a teaching kitchen with a team of award-winning chefs.
The rehabilitation center and the culinary program have a partnership in which Second Harvest accepts students nominated by the chef at Salvation Army. Donald heard about this, sought it out and the chef approved of him entering the program.
“I was put into the kitchen, and I really fell in love with the hustle and bustle, the knife skills, and feeding people,” Donald said. “It’s all really interesting.”
Donald’s previous professional experience included being a truck driver , but he said he had no prior culinary experience whatsoever. Although he was nervous, it proved not to be a barrier to his success in the program.
“I was pretty terrified coming into the program because I didn’t know what to expect,” he said. “I felt like I was unprepared due to my lack of experience, but it was so easy to adjust because of the instructors. They’re really helpful and encouraging. I’ve learned so much in such a short time. I wish I could have told myself back then there’s nothing to be afraid of. It’s been fun, to be honest.”
His favorite thing he learned to cook in the program was salmon with beurre blanc sauce.
“Everything was so perfectly placed and beautiful,” Donald said. “That’s the kind of stuff I want to do.”
Risotto was the most challenging thing to cook, but he was proud of how his came out, even if it wasn’t perfect.
“It came out a lot better than I thought,” he said. “I knew it was going to be hard – getting the right consistency. It was a little gummy, but still tasted good.”
Donald said it is also a new feeling to be excited to go to work, or to class for the life skills portion of the training.
“I’m sitting up front and involved,” he said. “I’m excited to do the homework.”
He said the job-readiness part of the curriculum will be some of the most helpful.
“I think that’s going to be a big help – knowing how to interview and specifically for this type of job,” Donald said.
His ideal job would be a chef at one of the major Orlando theme parks. He said his three little girls would be excited and proud to see him work there, tell their friends and provide job-related perks like tickets and tours.
In short, during a challenging part of his life – entering recovery, living at the residential rehab , separating from his wife, and being away from his children – Donald found a new perspective.
“It’s a new lease on life for my kids too,” he said. “With jobs like (the ones I’ve had before), there’s only so much you can do, only so much money you can send. Not only send (family support) money but have a place where they can come and spend time. That is the most important thing to me, spending time with them.”
He said the value of the opportunities that the Culinary Training program provides cannot be quantified.
“I don’t know of any other program that gives you so much, shows you so many things,” Donald said. “ It’s such a comprehensive program. You even get the clothes you need to wear. I feel just blessed to be here and able to go through it.”
He said his confidence has increased and it feels like the instructors really want the students to succeed.
“You don’t find that everywhere,” Donald said. “I’m so excited for the future. It’s great.”
