Second Harvest Culinary Program Lands Krystal Hotel Job

Krystal landed a job at a local hotel after completing Second Harvest's culinary training program for adults facing employment barriers. She learned hands-on cooking in a professional kitchen under award-winning chef instructors.

Krystal was living in emergency housing in Orlando with her 14-year-old son when she enrolled. She had worked in fast-casual restaurant management and saw culinary arts as a natural next step. "I thought that maybe that was it for me, but it can go so much further," she said.

Her son tracked her progress throughout the program. When Krystal received her chef coat, she sent him a photo. "He's like, 'I'm so proud of you, Mom,'" she recalled.

Krystal focused on Italian cuisine and mastered dishes including salmon with beurre blanc sauce and scratch-made mayonnaise. She received the program's Top Student award at graduation.

The job offer provides financial stability as Krystal works to strengthen her relationship with her 9-year-old daughter's father. "This is a great support system," she said. "It opens your eyes, gives you a sense of being, a sense of hope."