Food Bank of Delaware culinary school graduates 10

Ten students completed a 14-week program and graduated from the Food Bank of Delaware’s culinary school Aug. 19. The ceremony, which was attended by family, friends and elected officials, was one filled with talent, expertise and pride.

Graduates include Martia McGinnis, who was also presented with the first Pletcher Culinary Scholarship by Nina Pletcher, and Sam Hutchinson, Melvin Jones, Yunique Martinez, Briana Mifflin, Zumar Ortiz, Gwendolyn Ratlief, Red Vincent, Bianca Williams and Ivory Tuller.

Delaware Speaker of the House Melissa Minor-Brown, D-New Castle, said, “It’s really enriching and empowering. It’s a good feeling when you can listen to their stories and hear how this program has literally changed their lives, and it has saved lives. This is a return on investment. These are people who have been in recovery, reentering the job market, single parents, people who were relying on state assistance, [and] they are now at a point where they can give back, and that’s what I love.”

Immediately following the awards ceremony, the crowd was treated to lunch prepared by the graduates.

For more information on how to attend the school, go to www.fbd.org/the-culinary-school/.