The New Jersey native ended up earning a liberal arts degree and spending over a decade working at Whole Foods and Day One Electronics before he decided to change careers to restaurant cooking. With...
Wonjei first moved to the U.S. to earn his undergraduate degree in computer science from Indiana State University. While completing his studies, he worked a part-time job as a barista to make extra...
“My uncle was a pastry chef and I used to watch him make these huge, elaborate cakes,” Charles remembers. “I knew I wanted to do that someday, but I got into the martial arts with my cousin, Malik...
Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant By Mashama Bailey (Culinary, '01) and John O. Morisano In 2014, a Black chef from Queens and a white media...
“I’ve always liked having a job where you could produce something tangible,” David explains, referring to his early years at the drive-thru. In high school, he also worked as a deli sandwich maker and...
Growing up in central Connecticut, Tyler Heckman (Culinary, ‘15) displayed artistic talent from an early age. He attended a magnet high school for visual arts, then studied illustration at the...
“I started pretty young,” Michelle admits. “I begged my mom to send me to cooking camp when I was a kid.” Throughout middle school and high school, her goal was to attend culinary school. At 18 years...
“Ever since I was in high school, I always wanted to join the military,” Victor explains. Though when he graduated, he took a detour to earn a degree in graphic design and web development first. He...
“When I was about 8-years-old, my mom enrolled me in art classes because I had such an interest in drawing things,” Inae recalls. “It was actually easy for me and I enjoyed it very much. I continued...
“I decided that to live a rich life, I wanted to develop my senses of smell and taste,” Scott recalls. When he stumbled upon an assistant sommelier role at Boston’s Bay Tower Room, it seemed ideal...
“I’ve always been interested in plants,” Caleb reveals. “I gardened a lot as a kid. My grandmother and my mother are big influences on my life and they’re both very accomplished gardeners. I kind of...
“Everybody in my family learns to cook — whether you want to or not,” Anthony says. With a home economics teacher for a grandmother and an enthusiastic home cook for a mother, he grew up with the idea...
