Success Stories
Cesar learned about our free training programs while driving for Uber. His client happened to be on her way to meet with their Case Manager at HTA Headquarters. From there, Cesar became a Culinary Apprentice and trained with our distinguished Chef Instructors for 7 weeks at our training kitchen in Koreatown.
After completing training, Cesar was hired by AREAS LAX to work as a Cook at BOA Steakhouse and became a Unite Here Local 11 member.
Want to become a Culinary Apprentice? E-mail us at for more information.
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Forest completed HTA’s Culinary Apprenticeship 4. He now works as a Cook II at Lowes Hollywood Hotel.
Want to become a Culinary Apprentice? E-mail us at for more information.
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Gilbert learned about HTA’s Culinary Apprenticeship when Chef Instructor Mitchell visited his father’s restaurant.
From there, Gilbert became a Culinary Apprentice and trained with our distinguished Chef Instructors for 7 weeks at our training kitchen in Koreatown.
After completing training, Gilbert was hired by AREAS LAX to work as a Cook becoming a Unite Here Local 11 member.
Want to become a Culinary Apprentice? E-mail us at for more information.
Video taken by Tony Mendoza at HTA’s Culinary Community Buffet.
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Meet Kayla, Culinary Apprentice from our first class of Culinary Apprenticeships. After completing training, Kayla was hired by Beverly Hilton to work as a Prep Cook becoming a Unite Here Local 11 member.
Want to become a Culinary Apprentice? E-mail us at for more information.
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Cesia learned about HTA’s Culinary Apprenticeship from her parenting facilitator who knew this opportunity would be ideal for her. From there, she became a Culinary Apprentice and trained with our distinguished Chef Instructors for 7 weeks at our training kitchen in Koreatown.
After completing training, Cesia was hired by Flying Foods to work as a Cook becoming a Unite Here Local 11 member.
Want to become a Culinary Apprentice? E-mail us at for more information.
Video taken 5.7.19 by Tony Mendoza at HTA’s Culinary Community Buffet and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.
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Mario Edwards, a 30-year-old, African American man who lives in Lynwood with his wife and 3 young children (ages 12, 6 and 1), is dedicated to his family and doing whatever he needs to provide for them. A native of Los Angeles and a true survivor himself, Mario knows firsthand the importance of family having overcome a number of struggles early in life, including being shot multiple times while in his senior year at Dorsey High School. Pulling through, Mario resumed school at Los Angeles’ View Park High School, where he graduated and then shortly thereafter welcomed his first daughter into the world.
With a growing family to care for and determined to do all he could to provide, Mario worked for a number of years in a warehouse as a shipping and receiving clerk. He also did some housekeeping work to help make ends meet. So, when Mario’s Grandmother shared with him a flyer she had received from church with information about the Hospitality Training Academy (HTA) and a new U.S. Department of Labor Room Attendant/Housekeeping Apprenticeship Program they were launching, he decided to go check it out. (more…)
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