Celebrating Resilience: Milford Culinary School Graduation

August 22, 2025

The Food Bank of Delaware’s Milford Branch was filled with joy, applause, and heartfelt stories as the 41st class of the Culinary School celebrated graduation on Tuesday, August 19.

Family, friends, staff, and community leaders gathered to recognize the incredible accomplishments of 12 students who spent the last 14 weeks transforming their lives through food, resilience, and perseverance.

Anna McDermott, Chief Impact Officer at the Food Bank of Delaware, opened the ceremony with words of pride and gratitude.

“Each of these students is a unique individual who brought their own set of strengths, experience, and challenges to this program. But they all took this opportunity and committed to doing the work to be successful. We’re so very proud of them for the growth they have shown over the last 14 weeks. We’re excited to see what they accomplish in the future.”

Food Bank President and CEO, Cathy Kanefsky, reminded everyone that programs like the Culinary School are possible thanks to the generosity of community partners.

“We are proud to provide this program at no cost to our students. Not one of these folks had to pay a penny to be here. . . And the training is made possible because we’ve got so much support from our community and generous donors.”

“Feeding our neighbors is just the beginning. We believe in building strong, thriving communities, and that means providing career training programs that open pathways to success.”

Keynote speaker, Representative Melissa Minor-Brown, Speaker of the House, delivered a powerful and personal message to the graduates.

“When I look at you, I don’t just see graduates. I see people. I see fighters. I see survivors. I see dreamers who refuse to give up.”

Minor-Brown shared her own journey as a teen mom who relied on public assistance and overcame trauma and loss to become a nurse and the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the Delaware House.

“My current situation is not my final destination. And neither is yours,” she told the class.

Using culinary language to connect with the students, she compared life’s challenges to seasoning: “Some days are sweet, some days are salty, some days are bitter, and some days are just damn it spicy. And sometimes life turns the heat up so high, you wonder if you’re going to make it through. But even the toughest ingredients when handled with care can become something nourishing, something powerful, something beautiful.”

Her message resonated deeply as she closed by calling on graduates to carry their resilience forward: “You’re walking out with confidence, you’re walking out with purpose, and with a story that’s still being written by you.”

Executive Chef Tim Hunter also reminded the class of the mindset it takes to succeed. Sharing one of his favorite inspirations, he said:

“Life will never be easy, but you can choose your hard. Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard. Choose your hard. Obesity is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard. Starting your business is hard. Working a nine-to-five is hard. Choose your hard.”

Students shared moving testimonies of transformation.

Melvin, one graduate, spoke openly about his struggles before joining the program. “Before I started this program, I had nothing to live for. I wanted to die. . . But the Food Bank of Delaware changed my life, and I have a reason to live now.”

Another graduate, Yunique, reflected on her journey from a teenager completing community service at the Food Bank to becoming a Culinary School graduate years later. “What you guys are seeing right now in the building that you’re sitting in right now is actually a building of success,” she said.

And Brianna, a longtime CNA who changed her career path to follow her passion, said, “Cooking is my life . . . This is definitely a switch for me, a career change, but I’m happy I made it.”

The highlight of the ceremony came when Nina Pletcher presented the first-ever Pletcher Scholarship Award to graduate Martia McGinnis. 

“This scholarship award is one way we can help the Food Bank continue its mission and, at the same time, recognize a student who has excelled in this program,” said Pletcher. I am proud to share that this award will continue to be offered annually.”

Congratulations, graduates:

• Samuel Hutchinson
• Melvin Jones
• Yunique Martinez
• Martia McGinnis
• Briana Mifflin
• Zumar Ortiz
• Gwendolyn Ratlief
• Ivory Tuller
• Red Vincent
• Bianca Williams