From Serving Tables to Building a Culinary Career: Kirsten’s Story
September 16, 2025
When Kirsten Fellenbaum first came across the Food Bank of Delaware’s training programs, she wasn’t expecting to find a new career path.
“I was actually looking for a job at first,” she explained. “I’ve been a server for four years, and I’ve been working in the food industry in general since I was 16—just doing cashiering and expo and stuff like that. That’s not a career. And I enjoy just helping people, giving back in a way. So I thought that working at the Food Bank would be kind of a great opportunity.”
While searching the Food Bank’s website for open positions, something else caught her eye.
“When I was on the website looking for a job under careers, I saw that they had the programs, like the culinary and the logistics program. And I was like, oh, that’s kind of cool—something different. I could do that. I just thought that that would be cool.”
Building Toward a Career in the Kitchen
Kirsten now envisions herself working in a professional kitchen.
“In five years, definitely in an environment where I’m comfortable, surrounded by good people,” she said. “I would enjoy being in a place where I can create the menu, where it’s not the same thing every single day or every month—maybe having a specialty menu or something like that. But yeah, definitely just surrounded by good people.”
One of her favorite parts of the training program has been the sense of community.
“Other than learning so much, probably being surrounded by like-minded people. Everyone here has their goals, and everyone’s so supportive and motivating.”
Expanding Her Skills
Even though Kirsten has years of experience in food service, she admits the program has opened her eyes to new techniques.
“I grew up not really having a good relationship with food. There was a lot of pasta and McDonald’s—that was literally all I ate for a very good majority of my life. Then, like a year or two ago, I was like, I can’t really live like that. I have to start expanding my palate and learning how to cook at home, especially for my pockets.”
“So honestly, I’ve just been teaching myself at home over that time, and then coming here, I’ve learned literally every single thing—even down to cutting an onion. The way that they cut an onion is just so precise, and it gets it perfectly every time. I’ve always wanted to learn how to do that, and that was one of the first things we learned. It’s such a simple thing.”
At home, pasta remains her comfort food.
“I like Aurora sauce, like a pink blush sauce, on really any pasta—with chicken or crab.”
Advice for Others Considering the Program
Kirsten encourages anyone on the fence to give it their all.
“It definitely is heavy on what all the chefs are saying, especially Chef Tim—he’s very adamant that you get out of the program what you put into it. So if you have the motivation and you can make the time, definitely go for it. If you can give it your all, then do it. You’re going to get a lot of opportunity out of it. I already have, and I’m not even finished with the class yes,” she advises.
Opportunities Beyond the Classroom
While studying, Kirsten also works at La Casa Pasta as a hostess and server. But thanks to the program, her horizons are widening.
The life skills portion of the program has also been transformative.
“I’ve always been a very shy, antisocial person, and then I kind of came out of my shell serving,” she explains. “But Kyna (Workforce Training Program Coordinator) specifically—she’s an amazing person. She’s always supportive and motivating. Just her energy is very helpful. She’s given us resources for jobs and things we’ll need in life. She even brought in someone who owns her own business, which was really cool. Some students want to start their own businesses, but people don’t always have the resources they need. She just brings in people like that.”
Kirsten admits she’d eventually like to be her own boss.
“I think eventually I’d like to have my own business, for sure. But definitely for the first couple years, I want to be working for someone else, getting that experience and connections,” she points out.
A Standout Experience
When asked about a highlight of the program so far, one moment came to mind quickly.
“Definitely Barclays,” she points out. “That was really cool. I haven’t experienced something like that ever. Just being given the opportunity to go there, have that experience, and talk to people that really know what they’re doing—that was really cool. And the people they brought in, the volunteers—it’s cool because there are volunteers here too. There are just people everywhere that you can see want to help.”
For Kirsten, the culinary training program is more than just learning how to cook. It’s about building skills, confidence, and a future she can be proud of. To learn more, click here.
