‘Outside my comfort zone . . .’: Student embraces new opportunities

November 30, 2022

While it might seem like a long way – particularly culturally – from Manhattan to Camden, Del., for Angel Boyd, the transition from a major metropolitan area to a more rural community is a change he’s relished. “I graduated there, but I felt like it would be easier to find out about doing something new here,” he said.

Angel is a student at the Food Bank of Delaware’s Culinary School in Milford; he and his classmates will graduate on Dec. 21.  In the meantime, he’s completing his course work.

The Culinary School is a 14-week training program that’s certified through the Delaware Department of Education. Students are prepared to enter careers in the food service industry with an opportunity to complete ServSafe® training as well.

He and his classmates spend 12 weeks in the classroom and the Food Bank’s professional training kitchen, and they’ll be off to two-week paid work experiences before that graduation ceremony.

Angel offers a ready smile when asked why he enrolled in the program. “I like food. I like the taste of food, and I’m greedy,” he said.

Typically, he explained, his mother and his sister cook at home. “But I wanted to step outside my comfort zone, try something new. I wanted to see if I could manage,” he said.

The school runs from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. – 12 noon on Fridays, so students learn in the classroom and in the kitchen, preparing food, working as a team, and cleaning.

What’s does Angel like best? “I like the chefs, Chef Tish and Chef Tim. That’s the first thing. Chef Tish is an amazing person. She knows a lot, and she has a lot to teach us,” he explained.

“And I like the environment. There’s a lot of pressure, and it is helping me grow as a person. I’ve learned how to clean – the professional way. I’ve learned so much about the machines, about food. When I leave here I can teach other people. I’ll be smarter,” he added.

Angel is looking forward to his 2-week paid internship; he’ll be close to home, working at Mike & Mel’s, and American family-style restaurant located right in Wyoming, the site formerly occupied by Hall’s Restaurant.

As far as professional goals, this culinary school student says he’s open to new opportunities: “I have so many ideas about what I really want to do.”

The Food Bank of Delaware’s Delaware Food Works offers free training through our Culinary Schools in Newark and Milford. The next class starts on January 17.

Tuition is paid through scholarships and generous grants. In addition, students receive free transportation to attend class; gas cards are available for student drivers.

Click here for more information or to apply for this program.