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Lodi culinary program giving hope to the homeless in the kitchen

In 10 years, about 150 have graduated from the culinary program. The program is turning once-homeless lives into recipes for hope.

Rochelle Nagy is right in her element. She's a prep cook at Lodi's popular Michael David Winery.

"I love my job. I love the people I work with. My boss is amazing," said Nagy.

But, it hasn't always been wine and roses for Nagy. About 2 1/2 years ago, Nagy's home was her car parked at a Lodi truck stop. Ironically, it was just about a mile from the Michael David Winery.

"It's horrible. It's no life, to wonder where your next meal is going to come from and if you're going to be able to eat," said Nagy.

Once her car gave out, the former drug addict sought help from the Salvation Army. She eventually applied for and was accepted into the Salvation Army's Lodi Culinary Arts School.

"It's amazing. It came alive. It's turned into it's own energy," said Barry Crall, who has decades of experience as a professional chef in area restaurants.

Crall is director of the culinary arts program. Now in it's 11th year, the 16-week program has a nearly 90-percent success rate on getting those homeless jobs.

"I was classically trained in French cuisine. So, I give them the French cuisine skills, kitchen vocabulary, etiquette, knife skills," said Crall, who added that each person must apply for the program, write an essay and then get interviewed before being selected.

Becky Bayers is also a graduate of the culinary program. Living life as an addict 10 years until a close friend committed suicide, she said it was time for a change.

"Basically that was a turning point for my life and I knew that either I had to get help or I was just gonna...die," Bayers told ABC10.

Bayers has worked more than two months as a prep cook at Michael David. Nagy has worked at the winery over a year.

"Just hard working, making pizzas back there. Super positive attitudes for the both of them. Just a pleasure to have around for sure," said Michael David Winery Hospitality Manager, James Boore.

In 10 years, about 150 have graduated from the culinary program. It has been so successful, it is being copied at other Salvation Army kitchens across California. The program is turning once-homeless lives into recipes for hope.

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