Los Angeles Mission chef Chris Cormier

Trays of chicken are ready for serving at the Los Angeles Mission on March 31.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Lunch is served at the Los Angeles Mission.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Chicken, rice, gravy and vegetables are served for lunch at the Los Angeles Mission.   (Christina House / For The Times)

Rodrigo Garcia, a student at the Los Angeles Mission, slices onions during preparations for lunch.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Neil Reyes, a student at the Los Angeles Mission, uses a pitcher to refill a pan full of gravy.  (Christina House / For the Times)

Lunch is served at the Los Angeles Mission.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Billy Dodd, a student at the Los Angeles Mission, takes a plate from the lunch line on March 31.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Billy Dodd, a student at the Los Angeles Mission in downtown Los Angeles, enjoys lunch on March 31.  (Christina House / For The Times)

Chris Cormier, director of food services at the Los Angeles Mission, says of the rewards of his job, “it’s wonderful to put a smile on somebody’s face.”  (Christina House / For The Times)