Sometimes one plan in life turns into something else. That's the case for an Orlando area chef who teaches the next generation of culinary artists through the Culinary Training Program at Second Harvest Food Bank.

"How to cut vegetables, safety and sanitation, introduction to dressings, how to make breads," chef Izzy Santiago said.

While he takes that seriously because cooking skills are important, life skills also are important. He teaches those, too.

"It's not about showing off, or none of that, it's about how to get along," Santiago said. "That is, I think, one of the most difficult tasks for the chef. Get along with others, No. 1, and No. 2, the speed of service."

The chef also approaches his teachings from another point of view. He is a pastor.

"So that's what I do in my free time," Santiago said. "In my free time, we have a congregation and we meet every week, and it just gives me some balance in life."

Learning how to cut vegetables is one important skill for chefs, but Izzy Santiago of the Second Harvest Food Bank's Culinary Training Program says you also need to be able to be able to get along well with others and get the food to tables quickly. (Spectrum News/Chris Hare)

Melody Bell recently graduated from the program but still goes back from time to time. Bell was looking to further her food service career, and she's working at Universal now.

"I just like to see people eat, their different facial expressions, and trying new food, and then talking about my dishes," Bell said. 

Bell gets a lot of satisfaction from those experiences, and it's that kind of story that keeps Santiago teaching future chefs.

"I get the satisfaction of making a difference in the community, to make a difference — whether it's employment, whether it's relationship," Santiago said. "... We are making a difference one dish at a time."

People interested in joining the program can go online to the Second Harvest Food Bank Culinary Training website to get more information or sign up.