September 20, 2018 was an exciting day at Pathlight Kitchen, one dedicated to celebrating the graduation of our wonderful Culinary Training Program students!
Over the past 12 weeks, these students have worked hard in the classroom and our commercial kitchen to complete a comprehensive culinary skills course. Their studies, supported by the online information and videos of “Rouxbe,” a world leading online culinary program, and the intense hands-on training by our Pathlight Kitchen Chefs, culminated in the day’s graduation ceremony.
Executive Chef Esteban and Chef Instructor Holly proudly awarded the students diplomas, chef coats, and their hard earned ServSafe Manager Certifications for completing the course. The students, along with their families and friends, took pictures and shared fond memories of the past 12 weeks. A delicious lunch followed, and everyone left with a sense of optimism and accomplishment heading into the future.
As Chef Esteban and Holly prepared for the next cycle of Culinary Training classes, which started October 1, we asked them to reflect on the past graduating classes and their experience as the instructors. A typical day in the Culinary Training Program begins with welcoming the students and reviewing the lesson plan for the day.
The students then complete a lesson(s) on Rouxbe, which teaches them about food preparation, safety, kitchen procedures, and much more. (It’s also a wonderful resource as students can access the program online and learn outside of the classroom.) They proceed to the commercial kitchen to practice firsthand what they have 
just seen online, under the watchful and experienced eyes and hands of their instructors.
The students work with one another and the instructors, following directions to create a delicious dish. Once it is complete, they clean up and then taste their creation, while discussing what went well and what areas they can improve upon for the next class.
When asked to describe the purpose of the program, Chef Holly replied, “We have a great facility here [at Pathlight Kitchen]. We are training and giving [low-income] students the skills they need to get and keep a job in the culinary field. [They] are on the road to be self-sufficient for themselves and their families.” To this point, there have already been many successes in this class. Multiple students have secured culinary jobs, one student is working toward starting a catering business, and other recent graduates are eagerly taking their marketable skills and applying for jobs.
Chefs Esteban and Holly have big plans they hope to implement for future classes. “We are excited to have Starbucks come in October to teach a class on drink preparation,” Esteban exclaimed. “We hope to expand Pathlight Kitchen into a catering service as well in the months to come.”
It is definitely an understatement that Chef Esteban and Holly make a great team. Holly boasts about her Culinary Institute of America educated colleague. When asked what advice they have for the recent graduates and for people considering enrolling in the Culinary Training Program, Chef Esteban said simply, “commitment and discipline is key in all aspects of life.”
Without a doubt, with Chefs as dedicated to empowering others as Esteban and Holly, we are confident our future students will continue to excel and work toward successful careers!
Thanks to an added partnership with Starbucks “We Proudly Serve,” you can also enjoy Starbuck’s delicious coffees and teas.
This real-world food and customer service experience for enterprising culinary students, a Manager who really “knows her culinary stuff,” and profits that go directly into Pathlight HOME’s housing, training, and employment programs make ordering from Sobik’s Subs of Orange Blossom Trail a great way to “give back.”
