From Fast Food to Festival Fame: Yunique Martinez Finds Her Spark at The Culinary School

August 20, 2025

At The Culinary School at the Food Bank of Delaware, we believe every student brings a unique recipe for success—and sometimes, those recipes surprise even the chefs themselves.

For Yunique Martinez, a Lincoln-area native with two decades of experience in fast food, culinary dreams once seemed out of reach. But after enrolling in our 14-week program, Yunique decided it was time to invest in herself. Her goal? To become certified, sharpen her kitchen skills, and build a foundation strong enough to launch her own business.

“I’ve never competed in anything before, so I never won,” Yunique shared. “It makes me feel good.”
And win she did.

Meet the Dish: “Scrapple Puppies”

Midway through the program, students were given a delicious challenge—thanks to our long-time sponsor, Rapa Scrapple. The assignment: create a unique and flavorful scrapple dish. Yunique’s answer? Scrapple Puppies—a tasty, crunchy, and flavorful mash-up inspired by multiple hush puppy recipes.

Judges loved them. She took first place, winning a cash prize, a blue ribbon, and an unprecedented invitation to serve her dish at the Apple Scrapple Festival in Bridgeville, Delaware this October. The beloved festival, which draws tens of thousands each year, has never before featured one of our Culinary School students.

Talk about making history—and making an impression.

As her confidence grew, so did her ambition. Encouraged by Chef Tish Badamshin, one of our talented instructors, Yunique applied for a job outside her usual fastfood roles. She landed a position at The Big Chill, a vibrant oceanfront restaurant at Indian River Inlet, known for its stunning ocean views and high-energy kitchen.

“It’s fast-paced, very demanding—and I love it. I love being productive,” she said.

“Chef Tish forced me out of my comfort zone. It was the push I needed.”

Juggling her new job and school responsibilities is no easy feat, especially since Yunique is also a full-time mom to two daughters, ages 16 and 13, and a 5-year-old stepson. But she’s doing it all with purpose, drive, and a smile.

“This is the biggest accomplishment I’ve ever had—except for my kids. I was a high school dropout. I got pregnant, but I went back and finished. Nobody ever expected much of me. My duty is to prove them wrong.”

Yunique isn’t stopping here. She’s already dreaming up her next venture: a food truck business. With a name and concept in the works, she’s taking everything she’s learned and building a future on her own terms.

About The Culinary School
The Culinary School at the Food Bank of Delaware offers a hands-on, 14-week training program designed for students like Yunique—those who are ready for something more. Certified by the Delaware Department of Education, our program includes:

• 420 hours of culinary instruction
• Real-world kitchen experience in Newark and Milford
• ServSafe® certification opportunities
• A paid two-week externship
• Job placement assistance, professional uniforms, textbooks, and knives
• Classes run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., under the expert guidance of Executive Chef Tim Hunter and Chef Instructors Tish Badamshin and Adrienne Hall

Ready to Start Your Culinary Journey?
If Yunique’s story inspires you—or someone you know—it’s time to take the next step. Whether you’re starting fresh or starting over, The Culinary School is here to support your growth.

Learn more and register today: https://www.fbd.org/the-culinary-school