Food is Success

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 … [Read more...] about Donald Found New Opportunities

Carmen is guided by fate. When she was looking to reenter the workforce, she applied to Second Harvest's Culinary Training Program.  "Why not? Maybe it's for me," Carmen says as she reflects on her initial interest and application. After all, she had prior experience working in food service. Enrolling in the program felt like a natural step after taking time away from … [Read more...] about I’m a Professional: Carmen’s Story

Yaideliz's culinary journey began in her grandparents' kitchen, where she helped her grandfather prepare meals. Here, she first learned to cook, receiving early exposure to food that would eventually lead her to the doors of Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida's Culinary Training Program. Yaideliz's journey was not without its hurdles. One of her most significant … [Read more...] about Yaideliz’s Culinary Journey

Jahaira’s love for cooking blossomed in her grandmother’s kitchen, where she learned to make her favorite family recipes. But the road to pursuing her culinary dreams was far from easy. Jahaira faced serious hardships, including homelessness and bankruptcy, forcing her to live in her car for eight months. Despite these challenges, she never lost sight of her passion. While … [Read more...] about “Patience is the key to success.”