Food Bank Culinary School graduates bask in success, start new careers
Nine members of The Culinary School at the Food Bank of Delaware recently celebrated their achievements during a graduation ceremony for the 16th and 17th classes at the Food Bank's Milford facility.
The graduates were: Matthew Cannon, Christopher Colburn, Susanne Gayle, Michael Green, James Jenkins, Will Keyser, Kenneth Proano, Deborah Reilly and Keith Weims. All of them successfully passed the ServSafe exam.
Phillip Kizer, a Culinary School alumnus and chef at the Barnes Museum in Philadelphia, was guest speaker for the event. His brother, Will Keyser, was in this graduating class. Kizer urged the new graduates to work hard and deal with the challenges in the culinary field to achieve their goals.
"Stay hungry and you shall succeed. The sky's the limit," he said.
Food Bank of Delaware President and CEO Patricia Beebe, Culinary School Executive Chef Tim Hunter, and Culinary School Program Manager Ruthann Messick offered remarks as well.
"This is a challenging program," said Hunter. "Not everyone completes the program; you should be proud of your accomplishments today. It is now up to you to determine your success. You have the knowledge and tools to succeed in this next step of your careers."
Those attending the ceremony enjoyed a buffet luncheon prepared and served by the students. The menu featured shrimp bisque, chicken cordon bleu, fish and chips, ribs, a tossed salad, vegetables, and a dessert assortment.
The new graduates expressed gratitude for the opportunities they received during the 14-week program in which they developed their skills and passion for the culinary arts.
"I am really honored for this. I have a passion for cooking. I had one heck of a struggle, but I fought through all that. Pursue your dreams," said Matthew Cannon.
From proper knife-handling techniques to ServSafe certification and completing a two-week internship, students are prepared for entry-level jobs in the food service industry. They spent the past 14 weeks developing skills inside and outside the kitchen.
Some of the students' tuition was funded through Delaware WONDER, a federal grant geared to getting people into the workplace and off Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. This employment and training program, Work Opportunity Networks to Develop Employment Readiness, is led by Delaware Health and Social Services' Division of Social Services, which administers the SNAP program in Delaware. It offers targeted career tracks in construction, culinary arts and manufacturing, as well as broad-based job placement.
The mission of The Culinary School is twofold. First, students are taught skills that are highly desirable to employers in the food industry, and second, these skills have the potential to lead to positions in the industry that provide job security and economic sustainability.
The next class of The Culinary School in Newark will begin Monday, Jan. 22. To learn more about the program, visit www.fbd.org/the-culinary-school.
