Student Success Story
Robert has been employed as a line chef at The Cheesecake Factory since he graduated from the ARC Broward Culinary Institute.
Robert heard about the ARC Broward Culinary Institute from the Broward Sheriff’s Office. “The Culinary Institute idea caught my attention,” he remembers. Robert knew he wanted to find a steady job and be self-sufficient, but didn’t know where to begin. “I didn’t have a resume, I didn’t have references, and I hadn’t kept a steady job in a long time. I didn’t really know what to do.” The ARC Broward Culinary Institute seemed like a good option.
Robert began the training program and took to it immediately. “Cooking, to me, made me feel like I was gaining people’s confidence back.” He also saw the structure and schedule of the ARC Broward Culinary Institute as critically important. “The program was a really good transition in terms of support,” he said. “This is a family of people who learn new things, and the support from the staff and from the other students was incredible.” Robert enjoyed the program so much that he never missed one day during the intensive 16 week program.
Not only did Robert feel supported by the ARC Broward Culinary Institute staff and fellow students, but being part of the program allowed Robert’s family the opportunity to support him as well. “When they came and saw me at my Student Chef Luncheon, I could tell they were so proud. They knew I was doing something really good.”
Robert has been employed as a line chef at The Cheesecake Factory since he graduated from the ARC Broward Culinary Institute and he is thriving. “Everything seems to have fallen into place for me. When I felt that I could not do anything, ARC Broward made me feel like I could do something important.”
Today, Robert is gainfully employed and making great strides in furthering his future, all to make his mother, who serves in the U.S. Military stationed in Iraq, very proud!
Congratulations, Robert, for all of your hard work. The ARC Broward community is very proud of you.