The kindling of the flame:

When I was 14 I found out my sister was looking to go to the Culinary Institute of America. At that point, I had no idea what the CIA was (besides the US federal agency) and couldn't of even guessed what culinary meant. I was soon to discover a passion of mine, and I did not even know it.

I got home from school one day and my mom and sister were nowhere to be found, so I called my mom. My Mom told me her and my sister Katie were visiting the Culinary Institute of America. When they arrived home that night I was so interested in seeing what that school was about, because I knew nothing about it. I clandestinely looked at all my sisters pamphlets. I was really interested, but I wanted to keep it quiet because I did not want to be a "copy cat."

Turning through the pages of the Culinary Institute of America's prospective students brochure and seeing all of the magnificent pictures of food really sparked my interest. I really began to research culinary arts and discovered the chefs that became my inspirations.

After reading about my inspirations like Thomas Keller, I discovered that food is not only an art and a way to express yourself, but a way to make people happy and give them enjoyment. Growing up I always knew that regardless of what I do I want to make people happy and inspire them; cooking for people is a great way to do just that.

"When you acknowledge, as you must, that there is no such thing as perfect food, only the idea of it, then the real purpose of striving toward perfection becomes clear: to make people happy, that is what cooking is all about." - Thomas Keller