They say that everyone has that one life-changing light bulb moment. You know, the one moment that changes your life forever. They say it’s usually related to what you see yourself doing in the future. I’m not entirely sure of when one traditionally has this epiphany, but mine happened last January:
I was laying on my couch, watching what had become my usual line-up on television. I knew the schedules well enough by this point to know that Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations came on twice a day, once at eleven, and once at four. For months, whenever I wasn’t working, I’d been watching No Reservations. This day, which I think was the 11th, I was tuning into my first episode of the day. The familiar disclaimer screen came up, and then the intro started. I was intrigued to see that this episode was a culinary techniques episode. For the next hour, I sat there, completely mesmerized by the likes of Anthony Bourdain, Scott Conant, and Thomas Keller, wanting to soak up as much information as possible. By the end of the hour, I knew I wanted to attend culinary school. I didn’t know how or where I would be going, but I was determined to make it happened. I went online immediately and started looking up information. On my break at work later that week, I came upon an application to request information from Culinard, The Culinary Institute at Virginia College. I filled it out and got a call a minute later. Before I knew it, I was setting up an appointment to meet with admissions. After a week or two of paperwork, I was on my way to culinary school. All I had to do now was wait until April, which seemed like a lifetime.
Now, fast forward to April 4th, my first day of culinary school. By the time I entered school, I was both nervous and excited. I came in only with the knowledge I’d read and watched. My parents have cooked my entire life, I grew up watching Food Network, and I’d read a handful of books. I’d just finished Kitchen Confidential before starting school. I was nervous as hell, but I knew this was where I needed to be. If only I’d known how much that day would change my life.
The teachers I had the privilege of learning from are some of the most intelligent, caring, passionate, and driven individuals I’ve ever met. A year later, I’m still asking myself how I got so lucky. These chef instructors didn’t just teach me fundamentals of cooking, how to bake a loaf of bread, and what to expect in the real world, they taught me so much more. Their teachings helped me learn more about myself. I feel like I will forever be indebted to them. There were days that made me so overwhelmed that I wasn’t sure of what to do. Whether it was by tough love or just encouragement, they got me through it all. Whether they know it or not, they are my family now.
My classmates became some of the most important people in my life. We knew what was going on in each others’ lives. If something happened to one of us, it happened to us all. Even the people that weren’t in my class became part of my life. We experienced so many ups and downs together. The events we worked were some of the best days of my life; I have only fond memories. Like my instructors, my classmates are my family.
Never in a million years did I think I would be where I am now. I’m a culinary school graduate. I did my externship at one of the most famous fine-dining restaurants in New Orleans. I’m moving to Auburn tomorrow to work for an incredible luxury hotel chain. HOW is this possible? I sometimes feel like I’m living someone else’s life. So much has changed. I’ve learned to expect the unexpected. I’ve realized that I’m a lot more determined than I ever thought I was. Someday, I hope my confidence will catch up to my determination. Until then, I’ll just keep being amazed by my decisions.
As far as my future goes, I want to learn as much as possible. Going back to New Orleans is just as much of a possibility as attending CIA is for me. Regardless of what happens, I know that whatever I go after next will be done with as much passion and determination as I can muster. Like I said before, my confidence often has to catch up to my ambition, but maybe that’s a good thing. No matter what happens next, I will always look back on these days of my life with fondness.
Until next time, my friends.
