Meet Chef Aaron L, a dedicated culinary arts teacher and the proud owner of Seconds Catering.
For Chef Aaron, the path to the culinary world was anything but ordinary. While studying Radio-Television and Film at UT Austin, a series of Texas Culinary Academy commercials caught his attention. He took it as a sign.
"During my last semester in UTLA, I kept seeing Texas Culinary Academy commercials,” he recalls. “I took this as a sign. I enrolled in the academy and completed their program. I went back to UT and became a food service manager.”
For nearly a decade, Chef Aaron thrived in the university’s dining services, but it was the experience of cooking in a school setting that truly ignited his passion.
Today, Chef Aaron finds immense joy in teaching high school students as a dedicated culinary arts teacher.
"I love that these high school students can listen and comprehend at the same time. I get to see the same passion that I developed for cooking in these kids."
Aside from teaching, Chef Aaron is also the proud owner of Seconds Catering, a business he launched in 2013. "In that time, I realized my passion for cooking was far beyond just a general love. It was something I researched and fell in love with."
Balancing both roles, he remains committed to educating and empowering his students, both in the classroom and beyond.
Throughout his journey, UFCU has played a pivotal role in supporting Chef Aaron, not just as a business owner, but as a valued community member.
"Flawless experience. UFCU has been extremely supportive. I love the fact [they] take the time to showcase Black business owners during Black History Month, [allowing us] to talk about our business and let the Austin area know what we are doing. Being part of the UFCU community [feels] very good. When I go into the bank, the employees treat me as part of the family."
For Chef Aaron, that support is invaluable.
"[Having] a business establishment treat me as an individual [and] recognize what I have as an individual, and then in return feeds back into my business, is beneficial to what I do. It's hard to speak to the volumes of how that makes me feel. UFCU, I am eternally grateful, not only as a Member, but also as a community member and Black business owner. I am forever grateful for the bank that has invested in me."
Chef Aaron also emphasizes the power of Black History Month — it is not just a celebration, but an opportunity to educate and uplift others.
"I love that we still have time in our calendar year [to] recognize Black history. During this time, I [encourage] people to support Black businesses — buy Black, research Black, and [find ways] to help support someone in that realm. For me, I utilize this time to inform my students about things they may not find normally, giving them background information about Black history within the restaurant industry, hospitality industry, and travel history. This helps my students see themselves in those images. In school, I use my voice as a vessel to make Black history."
His passion extends beyond cooking — he’s also a champion for career and technical education, ensuring his students are prepared for success.
"I love that I get to push career and technical education to my students so they can become productive citizens. It’s not all about cooking here."
One of the most rewarding moments for Chef Aaron is hearing from former students.
"I love it when my students call me back and tell me, ‘They did it today’. I ask what they mean, and they say, 'I looked in the mirror and told myself that I am someone.'"
That, more than anything, is why he does what he does. Through his work as a culinary arts teacher and Seconds Catering, Chef Aaron continues to shape lives, proving that passion, dedication, and community can turn dreams into reality.
Members Aaron L
Member(s) Since 2013
Services Everyday Banking