The Walk

Over a year and a half ago, I was banging my head against quite a tough and immovable wall, trying to figure out how I was going to afford to graduate with my Bachelor's degree. I wasn't happy with my major, I honestly could care less about thread counts or how the front of the house worked as far as hotels were concerned. All I cared about and had a passion for was food. I've been cooking since I was 14 and have been working since I was 16. Each year, getting better and better. I had always wanted to go to culinary school, to learn the ropes and become a better cook. But I was always so scared to go.

I knew that school would be expensive and I wanted to go to the best school for me as possible. It was a huge decision for me to go to culinary school and I didn't take my options very lightly. It all started with a conversation over phone that I was having with my mom one night about finances and my degree that I was currently working on. In the middle of the conversation, my lovely mother asked "why are you spending so much money on a degree that you're not happy with? why don't you just go to culinary school?? you've always wanted to!" I thought that going was a lot harder than it really was. I finally decided to stop making excuses and I requested info from some of the schools I knew. One of them was the Art Institute of Phoenix. It just felt like a perfect match from the beginning, everything fell into place and I knew this is where I was meant to be. My first class ever was my Basics and Fundamentals class taught by Chef Kline; I didn't know then but this man changed my life for the better in the year I was at AI. He pushed me hard through every class I had with him and he honestly cared about all aspects of my life, not just my academic life. One of the first things he said to my class in our first week was "if you are not completely exhausted by the time you leave my class, you haven't worked hard enough." Let's just say that I definitely needed a nap after each class period with Chef Kline. He worked me. He also recognized that I felt most comfortable in a kitchen and saw that from day one. We clicked, he was my go to chef whenever I needed anything!

In all of the time I was at AI, I never felt like I was going to school. Sure I had some lecture classes but all in all, I cooked for an entire year and learned soooo much. I am definitely not the same cook I was when I first started. I feel as if I have a more focused and refined look at what it is that I want to do. There have been so many ups and downs, obstacles, triumphs and defeats along the way but it's made me into the person that I am today. Into the cook and future chef I will become. There was a time where I felt like giving up, if this really was what was right for me but I can say to you now without a doubt in my mind and with my head held high that cooking is what I want to do for the rest of my life. In whatever outlet or opportunity life hands to me! Because of my decision to go to school, I have met chefs and students that I would otherwise probably have never met and get to know like I have while I was at school. I was able to go to Austria for a cooking competition and have one of the most amazing weeks of my life doing what I love to do! I have been so richly blessed and I'm so thankful each day that I was able to do this and get on to a path that will make me happy for as long as I allow it!

Tonight was definitely a bittersweet night for me; as I sat with the audience, a wave of memories hit me of my times at school and the things I've done. Graduation, to me, seemed to be the last seal on this part of my journey and to be honest, I'm quite scared for it to be over. My life has drastically changed the moment I landed back in Sky Harbor 5 days ago. But this change is for th better and quite necessary. I have new things to do experience and different avenues to explore. This was the beginning after all, quite a beautiful and amazing one at that. I was fortunate enough to have my wonderful mother, a great best friend, my boyfriends parents, a loving sous chef, and inspiring chef all there to witness me walk across that stage to fulfill my dream of becoming a chef! It's still frightening to know that it's all done now and I have to grow up but at the same time, I'm excited to see what life has in store for me!

Before I wrap this up for tonight, I just need to brag a little about a special person that has helped me through this journey. My mentor and guide, Payton Curry, has helped me so much from the day I first asked him to help me with a class assignment. From there he just took me under his wing and has guided me on this wonderful journey. He's coached me a long, listened to my rantings, had discussions with me on the possibilites of a pancake bread pudding at 2:30 in the morning, encouraged me when I felt like I couldn't go any longer, and pushed me to apply for the team. He's the reason my passion for food is so alive and strong as it is today. Without him, I'd just be another cranky, foul mouthed line cook stuck in a rut. But because of him and his willingness to listen to me and understand me, I have incredible confidence in myself, my food, and my future! Thank you Chef for creating me into your Ninja, now it's time for a slumber party to bang out some amazing dishes!

Thank you everyone for your love and support! On to the next walk in my life, turning the page to the next chapter! It's going to be one crazy and wonderful ride!