I started working in the food service industry at the age of 14, working a catering job a few days a week to make some money for myself. My family was middle class but we didn't have a lot of money, so I paid for most of the things I wanted as a teenager. Anyways, I went to high school and college studying to be a computer network specialist; after a year of college and learning about this. I couldn't take it anymore, I just couldn't stare at a computer screen all day! I dropped out of that college and moved back home for 3 months, I thought about my life and what I wanted to do with it. I always had loved working in the kitchen through out high school and college also as a child with my mother, I decided to go to culinary school in 2007.
As I made my way through culinary school I applied for all the scholarships I could and worked 2 different restaurant jobs to pay to put myself through the schooling, in 2008 I had the opportunity to travel the Tuscany region of Italy in a culinary study abroad program through the school. In 2009 I had the opportunity again with a scholarship and some hard work I saved up and went to Spain to study culinary as well both trips were amazing. So many thing that I learned and countless 1st time experiences, memories I will cherish forever.
As my journey of becoming a chef, I worked with many crazy drugged out people and knowing that one day I would have to oversee these kind of people. In my immaturity I decided that I should try every drug, that way when I had to deal with people on a certain drug I would know how to deal with them. In 2011 I became a heroin addict, I got clean in 2013 on my birthday and I haven't looked back since.
If you've ever seen "Hell's Kitchen" the TV show; that gives you a pretty realistic view of how things work in a kitchen, at least the parts where they are cooking dinner.
I have met amazing people working in restaurants, along with criminals, soccer moms who are moonlighting for extra cash, struggling college students, wanna be actors
Whatever you do in life follow your passion and you will find happiness.
As I prepare for my next big move in life, I look back and reminisce; It has definitely been a wild ride!
-Thanks, Austin