Gold Star Feature: Darius Middleton of DC Central Kitchen

As part of THEARC’s 20th-anniversary celebration, we’re spotlighting alumni from our partner organizations who have gone on to do incredible things.

Darius Middleton, a proud Ward 8 resident, discovered his passion and purpose through DC Central Kitchen—one of our long-standing partners dedicated to fighting hunger and poverty through culinary job training and career pathways.

Right out of school, Darius felt unsure about his future. “All I knew was that I needed to provide for my family in the best way I could,” he shared. Cooking had always been in his roots—his grandfather was known as a gifted cook—but it wasn’t until Darius joined DC Central Kitchen’s Culinary Job Training program that he realized it could be his calling too.

“If it wasn’t for me finding DC Central Kitchen at the time when I did, I do not know where I would be today,” he reflected. “Once I walked across the stage and got my certification, every day has felt like the best day of my life.”

Darius has worked as a chef at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC—bringing his talent, dedication, and heart to one of the city’s premier kitchens. His journey from Ward 8 to the Ritz is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when opportunity meets determination.

Check out photos of Darius in action above, and watch his inspiring culinary journey in this video: https://vimeo.com/755811400/1b73d244c9

Click here for more information about AfterDark@THEARC 2025, at which we’ll celebrate 20 years of THERAC’s impact and the next 20 years of transformation!