Today was sure a day I was wondering if it would ever come. Back story, as a young person raised in a strict home, going off to college, and making more money then someone that age should, I was opened up to a great big world and I jumped in head first. I grew up with a celebrity chef for a father and could go anywhere without someone knowing us. I never went wanting, and always had “friends”. In college I learned fast people don’t care if you party all the time, don’t show up for class, and send ungodly amounts of money on drug , alcohol, toys, and girls. Drugs and alcohol caused me to lose my job. Parties and skipping class caused me to be kicked outta school, and my lifestyle caused me to be broke and homeless. I can’t remember a lot from my twenties, I’m sure I had a great time, but I’m also lucky my not dead.
Somewhere down the road I cleaned up my act, this September will be 7 year clean and sober of all drug. A littler over two years ago I paid off all my debt and got my own place and car, and started working for the same university I got kicked out of almost 20 years ago. Things seem to keep moving up. Trying to follow now in the foots steps of ole dad, I wanted to learn to cook, and open my own restaurant some day. That’s where the university comes in. Working for them in what is one of the largest dinning halls is the states, this is more than your normal cafe, I have access to equipment, training and classes I would have to pay a whole lot of money for anywhere else. It just been a long and sometimes stressful road. After two years as a on call, two years as a temp, and 11 months as a full time Culinary Platform Attendent, I’ve finally been promoted to a level 1 cook today. I know that title doesn’t sound very appealing, but things are a bit different at the university. The level I’m at here is equivalent to a head cook or kitchen manager any where else. I’ve sent countless hours in classes, practicing at home, and studying cooking techniques to get here, and I wasn’t sure they would even bring me up without proper education. Still a long way to go before, I have my own place but the path is set out and I couldn’t be more excited.
Working at the university has been a great opportunity not only to learn my craft, but teach, council, guide and befriend many young people. I got to meet some awesome students from all over the world, learn about their cultures, their homes, and their food. The impressions they have made on me, and I on them are priceless and make doing this worth it. I can’t wait to see what this challenge brings. Here I am with just a few of my students and co works over the past 5 years
