Stories for The Culinary School

You know the outdoor culinary graduation ceremony was a scorcher when guest speaker, Heritage Shores Executive Chef Christian Lofland, told the Food Bank of Delaware’s Culinary School graduates and the audience, “This is what the kitchen feels like.” He wasn’t kidding! Five determined students graduated from the Food Bank of Delaware’s Culinary School in Milford…

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Like many of the students who arrive at the Food Bank of Delaware’s Delaware Food Works Culinary School, Stephen Marinari found that the 14-week program exceeded any expectations he brought with him. After all, it was sort of a last-ditch effort. This Lewes-area resident had a successful and lucrative career in IT for more than…

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Gigi England does it all. She is a doula, Client Service Coordinator at the New Castle County Hope Center and a full-time student at our Delaware Food Works culinary training program. With a wide range of talents and passions, her future is certainly bright. “This was a personal journey for me,” she admits.  “I was…

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Upon meeting Walter Stickles, his passion for the culinary field is very evident. Prior to moving to the area, Walter was living in Virginia Beach doing electrical work. “It wasn’t what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, I wasn’t passionate about it,” he admits. Walter says he is always in his…

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When there’s a global COVID-19 pandemic, the Food Bank of Delaware responds! In addition to distributing 17,907,123 pounds of food from March 16, 2020 to March 16, 2021 to the community – our neighbors, we also continued our workforce development programs. We pivoted to find effective strategies to provide vital employment training through our Delaware…

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Freda Ofori has spent the past 10 years working in home care and is ready for a career change. She learned about the Food Bank of Delaware’s Delaware Food Works culinary training program thanks to a flyer from her pastor. The program is providing Freda with the opportunity to learn basic and high-end kitchen skills….

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Darryl Simms retired from Reagan National Airport after a 27-year career with the federal government. A trained electrician, Darryl was always interested in food service. After receiving an email from the Food Bank of Delaware about a food distribution, he decided to check out the organization’s website where he learned more about the Delaware Food…

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Newark Delaware Food Works culinary student Sarah Rotenberry aspires to own her own restaurant. She envisions a menu that features homestyle comfort foods, like chicken and dumplings and pistachio-crusted fish, with a unique and elegant twist. Sarah has worked at the Blue Crab Grill in Newark for more than 10 years and has been in…

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Like many of the Food Bank of Delaware’s Culinary School students, LaMont Scott Jr. believes the training he is receiving will support his dreams and long-term goals. The Delaware native and former Florida resident describes the workforce development program as “an opportunity meant for me.” As part of Delaware Food Works,  the Culinary School is…

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Seaford resident Endora Jefferson personifies the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Until mid-October, this mother and grandmother had been employed full-time by a Georgetown industry; she lost her job last fall in a final round of downsizing. “It was devastating,” she said. Although she has been a student at the Food Bank of…

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