Volunteer Kitchen Chef Chris

Chris volunteers as a chef in the Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa (LFCC) catering kitchen twice a week. He is a graduate of the culinary arts program at Diablo Valley College.  The culinary program required him to obtain practical on-the-job experience off campus. He was not interested in working in a restaurant, and found the Loaves and Fishes catering kitchen through the LFCC volunteer orientation. He initially thought he would volunteer in the dining room, but due to his culinary skills, the Volunteer manager suggested that he volunteer in the catering kitchen. Chris lives near the Martinez Loaves and Fishes dining room, so he was familiar with the LFCC dining experience. He wanted to give back by volunteering his chef skills.

Chris said it feels good to know you had a part in making the nourishing food that is provided to the Loaves and Fishes clients.  Chris said that he has learned more in his six months volunteering in the Loaves and Fishes catering kitchen, than he did in two years at culinary school!  He started just prepping foods, and now prepares the entrée some days, and some days helps cook the meal from beginning to end under Loaves and Fishes chef James Porter’s guidance.  It is volunteers like Chris who make it possible for us to produce up to 800 meals per day for delivery to our dining rooms!