If you read our last newsletter, you may remember Maria, a recent culinary apprenticeship graduate we highlighted following this year’s Milestone Celebration. We shared her story of perseverance and her determination to complete the program, even when the journey wasn’t easy.
“I accomplished something. I finished something and I didn’t quit,” Maria shared with guests after accepting her graduation certificate.
Just a few months later, we are excited to share that Maria is back at Kitchens for Good–this time as a member of the team.
Maria first joined Kitchens for Good as an apprentice in January 2023 before going on to build her culinary career in San Diego, working in several local kitchens—including two of our employer partners, Town & Country and Harvest Kitchen. Now, she’s bringing that experience back to where her journey began as Kitchens for Good’s new Instructor Assistant. In her new role, Maria will support classroom instruction, prepare meals for apprentices, and provide general kitchen support.
For Maria, coming back to Kitchens for Good is also a chance to help the next group of apprentices navigate some of the same steps she once took.
At her graduation, Maria reflected on how her experience at Kitchens for Good impacted her both in and beyond the kitchen:
“This program gave me more than culinary skills. It gave me confidence and motivation to keep pushing forward for myself and my family.”
Maria’s return to Kitchens for Good marks an exciting new chapter in her journey, and a reminder that apprenticeship is the first step towards a meaningful career.