Second Harvest Launches Culinary Training Class for Puerto Rican Evacuees

More than 140,000 Puerto Ricans have arrived in Central Florida since Hurricane Maria devastated the island last fall.  Thanks to the support of the community, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida is uniquely positioned to provide hope for these families with disaster relief food boxes, but also to offer an opportunity to transform lives.

In December, with tuition provided by CareerSource Central Florida, Second Harvest launched its first Spanish-language Culinary Training Program class for Puerto Rican evacuees. Over 14 weeks, the class will provide the culinary and life skills training need for a sustainable career in Central Florida’s booming hospitality industry.

Thanks to you, students in the Culinary Training Program, are looking forward to learning essential culinary and life skills as they prepare for the workforce.

The best news of the New Year? Las Palmas and Hilton have already pledged positions within their growing organizations for the Puerto Rican students upon graduation.

Spectrum News 13 recently visited the Darden Foundation Community Kitchen to see how these students are gaining valuable hands-on experiences needed to pursue a sustainable career in Central Florida’s booming hospitality industry.