9 Students Graduate From Food Bank Culinary Program

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Nine students graduate from the Maryland Food Bank Culinary Program and WJZ was there as they received their awards.

Christie Ileto has more.

Nine students are now nine new chefs. These new grads at Maryland Food Bank's FoodWorks program were schooled in a range of culinary techniques like producing healthy meals with food donated to the food bank. Even the most experienced cooks learned something new.

"I used various commercial equipment that I had never seen before. Pots and kettles," said Victoria Lawson, student. "We have a kettle that's 60 gallons. We're talking four to six people can fit inside the kettle and we're making gallons of food that's going to feed hungry people. That's amazing to me."

Meals produced by the FoodWorks program are distributed through the food bank to more than 600 soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters across Maryland.

"It's both a business and artistic opportunity and I think that's so amazing with what we do."

A program that helps feed Maryland's hungry while training low income students to strengthen their culinary skills.

"It's reinforced a lot of work ethic. It's helped me appreciate strengths and weaknesses," said one student.

The training program started in August 2010.

They are now recruiting for the next class of graduates until April 16th. Classes begin on April 20th.

For information on how to apply CLICK HERE.