Shedding the Shell: St. Joseph Center Prepares Culinary Graduate for The Lobster

Ricardo is an incredible example of how we can turn our lives around through hard work, grit, and support from our friends. He officially graduated from St. Joseph Center’s Bread & Roses Training Kitchen culinary program in August. He also took the stage as a featured student speaker. I couldn’t be prouder to see him step into this next chapter and keep shining.

It is almost a magical experience to see a diligent, dedicated culinary student meet a brilliant, discerning Chef mentor. But that is what happened when Celebrity Chef Govind Armstrong of The Lobster Santa Monica decided to take a chance on St. Joseph Center Bread & Roses Training Kitchen student, Ricardo Ordaz. Chef Govind Armstrong’s expansive resume includes everything from being the celebrated author of Small Bites, Big Nights, Chef and Restaurateur, to numerous television appearances, including Top Chef Masters and Iron Chef America, to being featured in People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People”.

Armstrong began his culinary training at the age of 13 at Wolfgang Puck’s Spago restaurant in West Hollywood. He also worked under Mark Peel at Campanile in Los Angeles and Juan Mari Arzak at Arzak in San Sebastián, Spain. However, Chef Armstrong’s calming demeanor and warm smile make it clear that what is within truly matters.

A New Chapter in the Kitchen

When Ricardo decided to enroll in St. Joseph Center’s Bread & Roses Training Kitchen, he had already endured some of life’s most difficult experiences. After losing his parents and his home, he experienced homelessness near Skid Row, overcoming past incarceration and profound loss. But through those experiences, Ricardo says he learned to appreciate the small things in life and not take them for granted. As a student, I could see Ricardo from my office window. In those moments, when he thought no one was watching, his character was revealed. He not only worked diligently to do his best, but I also consistently saw him take the time to calmly coach and guide another student who was struggling to reach the same goal.

So, when the opportunity to work at the beautiful beachside restaurant The Lobster Santa Monica came up, I told Chef Armstrong that I had just the right person for him.

An Opportunity at The Lobster

The starting position of a dishwasher in a high-volume, prestigious restaurant is incredibly demanding, with long hours and strenuous work. You would not know it from the joy on Ricardo’s face as he describes his experience. Taking pride in the difficult work and always expressing immense gratitude, Ricardo feels as if he has landed just where he was meant to be. His refusal to let his past define him drives his work every day on the line, sharing that everything has brought him to this point, and he is not going to throw that away. He even plans to get a lobster tattoo to mark this milestone, symbolizing his loyalty, resilience, and armor for the future.

In Their Own Words

On graduation day, Chef Ricardo remarked on his transformation:

“I truly feel the presence of God here. To me, this is sacred. I am forever grateful, and I will do whatever I can to help people like me who have been broken in the world come to St. Joseph Center and Bread & Roses. I experienced homelessness for a while, so I know that feeling. Coming here has taken all of that away. Shown me I’m not a throwaway. I’m actually someone who can be recycled back into the community to do great things.”

Chef Govind shared why he chooses to give back to the community and how businesses helping aspiring culinary students like Ricardo matter:

“It’s not just a matter of giving back, but making the environment a little more sustainable. It’s truly people like Ricardo that come in, who are honest, not afraid to work and get their hands dirty, not afraid to ask for help or direction. This guy has really blown us away, and we are happy to have him.”

Using the lobster as a symbol of his own transformation, much like the molting of an old shell that no longer serves you, you can let go of your past, grow, and evolve into your better self.

Ricardo is an incredible example of how we can turn our lives around through hard work, grit, and support from our friends. In August, he officially graduated from the program and took the stage as a featured student speaker. I couldn’t be prouder to see him step into this next chapter and keep shining.

If you want to get involved with Bread & Roses Training Kitchen, please visit stjosephctr.org/programs/empowerment/  or contact St. Joseph Center at stjosephctr.org/contact/  to learn more about workforce opportunities, volunteering, and supporting student success.