Blog / The Culinary Calling
At Shepherds College®, the commercial kitchen is more than just a place where meals are made; it’s a hub of joy, camaraderie, and spiritual purpose. A recent message of affirmation from a Shepherds College staff member to the kitchen team encapsulated the heart of their work: “You make it personal, you smile, and you are engaging. It is easy to see God’s love flowing through your work here. The staff in the commercial kitchen have answered God’s command to ‘feed My sheep’ both literally and figuratively. Thank you for blessing the staff and students at Shepherds College with your time and talents.”
This culture of care and service doesn’t go unnoticed, even by those who pass through the kitchen for a short time. During preparation for the new school year, a staff member’s daughter volunteered in the kitchen, lending a hand with various tasks. Little did the team know, she was also absorbing the atmosphere. After her day ended, she shared with her father her observations about the kitchen team’s dynamic. She noted how much fun they have while working, how they interact with lightheartedness yet deep respect for one another. She described the playful teasing between team members and the sense of community that it fostered. Chef LaFranzo’s music, always playing in the background, helped create an environment that was not only productive but also joyful. “It almost doesn’t seem like work,” she said, highlighting the vibrant, positive DNA of the kitchen culture.
But the commercial kitchen’s mission extends far beyond preparing food for staff and students. It also serves the many volunteers and visitors who come to Shepherds College, either for lunch in the cafeteria or through catered meals. Whether it’s a simple meal shared among volunteers or a larger event, the feedback from those who dine at Shepherds College is consistently filled with gratitude and warmth. Through these meals, the kitchen staff fulfills not only their professional duties but also a deeper ministry of service and hospitality. Food has a unique ability to bring people together in a way that nothing else can, fostering connections and nurturing relationships.
At the core of the commercial kitchen’s work is a guiding philosophy: preparing and serving food is more than meeting physical needs; it’s a way of sharing the unconditional love of Jesus. Every dish, whether it’s a sub sandwich or Tacos Al Pastor, represents an opportunity to extend grace and kindness through a meal.
This mindset starts in the classroom and training kitchen from the moment students enter the Culinary Arts program. First-year students are taught that making food isn’t just a job—it’s an act of love and ministry. They learn that every step of the process, from choosing ingredients to carefully preparing each dish, is important. They are taught to see their work not as simply assembling meals, but as participating in a larger mission to share Jesus’ love through food. Whether a student is making a Caesar salad or cooking a gourmet entrée, the heart behind it remains the same: to provide nourishment that blesses others.
Instructors in the Culinary Arts program are intentional about instilling this philosophy. They emphasize that even the smallest task, like making a sandwich, can carry profound significance when done with care and purpose. Students learn that a meal isn’t just about the food—it’s about creating a moment of connection, where the love of Jesus can be felt.
As students progress through the program, this mindset becomes ingrained in who they are. The ultimate goal isn’t just to prepare students for successful employment in the culinary world but to help them understand the deeper impact they can have through their work. Whether they go on to work in a restaurant, a catering business, or any other food service industry, they carry with them one key aspect of the Shepherds College mission: to reflect the love of Christ in all they do.
In the end, it’s not just about the food—it’s about service, love, and community. The commercial kitchen at Shepherds College is a place of hope and compassion, where every meal prepared is a step toward fulfilling the mission of sharing Christ's love with others.
The staff in the commercial kitchen have answered God's command to 'feed my sheep' both literally and figuratively.
Published in Volume 7, Issue 3 of SOAR Magazine.