#itzinthemixxtape

This, is an unexpected picture of me. Yes. I'm a chef. No, I no longer work here. Why? Well, I'll explain that, but allow me to tell you a bit of my background in terms of culinary.

During the years of 2015 and 2016, I had reconstructive foot surgery. It took a bit to heal up and be able to walk again, but the recovery was a smooth one still. During that time, I was presented with an opportunity to attend a culinary program where I would be taught both Back of House (BOH) and Front of House (FOH) skills for a total of 40 weeks, and we would be getting paid for the time there. We would also meet and get to work with different chefs of color and get a true culinary experience. I've met chefs that I never thought I'd meet and my mind was opened in ways I never really imagined. I'm now friends with a few of them, and that's pretty dope. I worked a big event at the James Beard House and worked with 7 different chefs of color. All in all, my time there was amazing.

With that, I had this thought of owning my own restaurant or bar where I would create simple yet complex dishes that represented me and who I am. As 2024 came in, that feeling just....died. I came in to work, looked at the stove in front of me, and in my head I said "What am I doing?" Then out loud I said "I don't want to do this shit anymore." My co-worker looked at me and said "Travis, you okay?" I said "No. No I'm not. I'm over this. I'm over cooking shit that's not from my mind. I'm over cooking fucking food that truly doesn't tell me about who the head chef is. I'm done with hearing people come here and question the dishes. I put all my fucking chips in, turned down 3 different jobs, 3 different better opportunities, to help someone else with their dream for 2 full years. I'm over it. I'm done. I can't fucking do this shit anymore. I'm not working on my own dreams and doing this, is killing my deep rooted passion for culinary." And with that, I sent an email out and stepped down from my position.

I'm slowly overcoming depression. By being there, it just put me deeper in. It made me a version of myself that wasn't me, so now I'm currently putting all my chips into me.

Yes, I'm still a chef. No, I no longer want to own a restaurant. No, I'm never going to give up on this. Yes, I can cook my fucking ass off......

....and you'll see it soon

Okay, so I normally always do the intro thing a few days after I figure out if I'm going to stick with something or not. I feel that's pretty fair, you know. Come in, feel things out, and if it's not for you then you leave, but if it's for you then you stick around and make the best of it and just grow with it. Allow me to tell you a bit about myself.

Name: Travis (I found out as I got older that a lot of people have this name lol. I would get so annoyed in school cause I nearly got in trouble for something I never did because there was another student in the school with my name, so the dean was looking for me)

Age: 33 (My birthday is April 23, 1991. I'm a Taurus. Yes, I'm stubborn and hard headed, but there's a lot of people in this world that are just the same and they aren't Taurus. For those who have a Masters and PhD in all things astrology, please......don't lol. I still feel like I'm about maybe 17 or 18. Lots of water, taking my vitamins, eating right...well, trying to at least, and keeping myself as less stressed as humanly possible. The key to youth)

Location: Brooklyn, NY (My home for 33 years now. There's still so much I want to explore and discover here. I want to also just build a small group of friends that are into different things, but that requires me to lower my walls just a tiny bit because I have trust issues for real lol, but I'm still willing to try it out)

Occupation: Chef (No, I'm not one of those chefs on Tik Toc that will add Henny to every single thing they can. No, I will not make you Chicken Alfredo and if I do, it will be in such a way that will make you never want anyone else's jar made Chicken Alfredo. If we become close and the vibe is right, then yes, I will come over to your place and cook you up a meal, have a few drinks (I really prefer a sweet red wine, sake, or soju for the simple fact that I'm not a drinker like that), smoke some good herb, or maybe have some shroom chocolate, and just cook and enjoy a good genuine time. I've been a chef for nearly 10 years now. During my time I've worked in 5 different locations and during the pandemic, I've held 4 private catering events which were pretty dope. I surely want to do more private catering/dinning because of how intimate and interactive it is. In terms of school, I went to the Brownsville Community Culinary Center. I have a bit of an explanation of that in another post)

Likes: All Form of Art (Either it be Painting, Drawing, Pottery, Photography, Cooking, Music, or Sex (Yes, Sex is an art, and for those out there that just fuck cause they want another "number under their belt" please stay away lol). I just love art. I'm also a Gamer. I love a good story that matches the game play. Anime is another big one for me. Well, cartoons in general you know.