Austin at his Culinary Job Training graduation ceremony in March 2023

Austin Gaither loves to learn. After graduating college, he learned about Second Helpings’ Culinary Job Training (CJT) program on social media, and knew it would be a great next step towards pursuing a career in the culinary industry.

As a student, his highlight was learning how to make shrimp and grits. “It’s my favorite dish to eat and now it’s my favorite thing to make! I loved the beauty of learning different techniques for preparing the same menu item… I really believe that food brings out something special in people, when they put their heart and soul into their dish, and that makes me want to go above and beyond.”

After graduating from our program with Class 153 in March 2023, where he won the award for perfect attendance, he continues to feel supported by Second Helpings and his experience.

Austin is currently enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Ivy Tech Community College, and he’s on track to graduate in December. “CJT was a huge advantage for me at Ivy Tech,” Austin shared. Not only did he enter this program with a variety of foundational skills, but our CJT program fills a course requirement at Ivy Tech, so that’s one less class our graduates have to complete and pay for.

Austin in Argentina in May 2024

Moreover, Austin has felt the continued support from Second Helpings through our Ken Honeywell Continuing Education Fund. Last year, Austin received a scholarship through this fund to put towards his tuition and to participate in a culinary study abroad program, two weeks in Argentina.

“Traveling to another country really opened a new door for me,” Austin shared. “Everything you think you know about a country goes out the window when you experience it firsthand.”

This program provided once-in-a-lifetime experiences, learning to cook steak and empanadas with local chefs, traveling to several wineries, and exploring the countryside. “Being from suburban Indiana, visiting a ranch up in the Andes Mountains took my breath away!”

To receive this scholarship from the Ken Honeywell Continuing Education Fund “was a real blessing, I know not everyone has this opportunity,” Austin shared. “Thank you for making it possible for people like me to experience something I dreamed of. I want to carry on that experience, I want to be able to pay that forward someday and invest in someone else like someone did for me.”

As Austin looks towards the future, with plans to work in the catering industry, he credits Second Helpings’ Culinary Job Training program with getting him started on this path.

The Ken Honeywell Continuing Education Fund was created in 2021 to honor and further the legacy of Ken Honeywell, a long-time volunteer and relentless supporter of Second Helpings. Ken is also the founder of Tonic Ball, Second Helpings’ biggest annual fundraiser.

“If you want to fascinate yourself, and do more than you think you can, take yourself to the next level, then drop everything you think you know and check out the CJT program. Open your mind, go to that grill and make something happen. When you do, with all the chefs around you, you will start to realize, ‘Wow, I guess I can do this.’”