“St. Joseph Center Gave Me a Career”: From Training Kitchen Student to Chef Steven

Steven Reynaga is a graduate of Bread & Roses Training Kitchen at St. Joseph Center. Today, he is the head chef at Neighborwood Eats at the Intuit Dome, where a rotating lineup of local restaurants highlights Inglewood’s culinary talent.

“St. Joseph Center gave me a career. Now, instead of going to work, I go to my kitchen.”

That shift may sound simple, but it says a lot about who Steven is. Cooking is something he takes seriously and is proud of. It gives structure to his day and a sense of direction he did not always have.

Through the Bread & Roses Training Kitchen, Steven gained practical experience, guidance, and a space to grow. He speaks about that time with clarity and gratitude.

“I like being able to contribute. Especially when it’s something that helped me before.”

A path built through opportunity

Steven recognizes that opportunities like this do not come around often. Programs like Bread & Roses exist because people choose to support them, making it possible for others to learn new skills and work toward stable careers.

“A lot of people don’t get the chance to do what they love. It’s because of St. Joseph Center’s Training Kitchen and culinary program. The opportunity was presented to me.”

Leading in the community

Today, Steven is building that life for himself.

At Neighborwood Eats, he leads a kitchen that reflects the local community. The concept brings together local restaurants and allows different voices and styles to be heard. It is work that connects to his own experience of being supported and given a chance.

The people behind the journey

He is also quick to name the people who stood behind him along the way.

“I love St. Joseph’s. I love Instructor Chef Tomas. I love the Program Manager, Kimberly, and the Director, Sharon. Everybody. If you want a real family that supports you, that’s the place.”

That sense of community is part of what remains with him. It’s what keeps him going and continues to influence how he approaches his work.

What it makes possible

Steven Reynaga appears focused, grounded, and clear about what matters to him. He values the work, the people around him, and the path he is building.

His story shows what can happen when someone has access to the right support at the right time, and how they carry that forward.