Class helps students navigate food truck permits in San Diego [Video]

SAN DIEGO — Aspiring restaurant owners are gaining the skills to build their business thanks to a program in City Heights.

“It was very scary, very confusing and I didn’t know the correct way to do it,” said Fernando Alvarado, owner of Nandos Hotbox.

“We love working with small businesses that is the bread and butter of most communities like this,” said Michelle Ascencio, the economic development program manager for City Heights Community Development.

She’s been teaching the free 8-week program.

“If you know anything about City Heights itself, it’s a community of refugees and often times refugees don’t have the classic 9 to 5 job. They cook from home. They sell from home and we would love for them to do that formally and grow that business to support their families,” she said.

There’s a …