Monday, September 26, 2011

Micro-Blog from Sheba Andrews

Last week during my Strategies for Success class, there was an exercise that required our class to visualize what our lives would be like in five years. I must admit that this was a very interesting exercise to me. My vision of my future was very vivid. I saw the house, car, family and career that I’ve always wanted. It was pretty interesting to say the least.  
After class, I couldn’t help but to wonder if five years ago I would have visualized being where I am today. Would I see myself trading in my wardrobe for a t-shirt, white jacket, checkerboard pants and little cap?  Would I see myself replacing a necklace with a neckerchief? Could I ever imagine trading my collection of shoes in for a comfy pair of black Crocs (without the holes)? And finally, would I see the passion upon my face as I am kneading dough? I don’t think that I would. However, I feel that attending The Chef’s Academy is a decision that I will never regret. I have learned so much over the past seven weeks and I look forward to learning more!! I may not truly know where my life’s path will lead me within the next five, ten or twenty years, but I’ll continue to walk one step at a time.

Fermenting my future,
Sheba Andrews

Monday, September 19, 2011

Micro-Blog from Courtney Wimmer

Six months ago I did not even think that I would be sitting in college. I was never big on school, don’t get me wrong, I always made good grades, but never thought that I would want to go on and further my education. Here I am sitting in this amazing college doing something that I’m enjoying.
I was staying up late one night, studying for my high school finals when The Chefs Academy infomercial came on. My eyes lit up, and I started to think, “Can I do this?” I took the information down, then I talked it over with my family and they told me to go for it! So I did. The next day I applied for school. Two days later I heard from Shane, and he told me that he would love to meet with me to go over what the school had to offer me. The next week we met with Shane again. I was in my last semester in high school when I got the acceptance letter. Now look at me! I never thought I would be so happy doing something that I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I honestly can’t see myself being anywhere else!

Courtney Wimmer
The Chef's Academy North Carolina Pastry Student

Friday, September 9, 2011

Micro-Blog from Brett Ouimet


Fear causes hesitation

For the past 20 years or so, I have often thought about going back to school or changing careers, but always told myself that I couldn’t. I guess I was hesitant of the change or the difference in salary.  I was laid off in the beginning of 2011, after 14 years at the same company.  After a few months I realized that time is now. I needed a change, a new direction. Something bigger, something better. 

When I heard that The Chef’s Academy was opening in Morrisville, something just “clicked”. I love to cook. I love food. I’ve been eating all of my life. It had my name written all over it! Fear set in as I enrolled, but something was pushing me to do it. After a few days I was very comfortable with the facility, the instructors and the staff. My fellow students were just as eager and excited as I was. I knew that this was the right move for me. It’s week 5 and I’m loving every minute of it.  I look forward to the endless possibilities and opportunities that lay ahead. 

Don’t let your fears control your actions. Life is what you make it and that’s a beautiful thing.

The man with the three fingered hand,
Brett Ouimet
The Chef's Academy North Carolina

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Micro-Blog from Keno McKayhan

My first blog, ever!

So I started to think really hard about what to write. Should I talk about myself, students, the school, the classes, instructors, recipes or the staff?  What a wonderful problem to have.
Let’s start with me. Enrolling in culinary school has been a goal of mines for a very long time. Too make a long story short, there isn’t a place on earth that I would rather be…..from 9:40am to 4:30pm. Evenings are another matter. Talking to some of my fellow students it’s clear that I’m surrounded by other passionate foodies. What better place to achieve our goals than at the brand new and I mean brand spanking new Chef’s Academy in Morrisville. I haven’t been in school for a while so I was kind of nervous about how I would do in classes other than the kitchen, one month in, and I have surprised myself. I’m super motivated now. Yes, I came to learn to be a Chef and Chef Rusty is making sure we get off to a professional start. In just four weeks I’ve learned a lot about becoming a chef and it wasn’t all about cooking, even though we are cooking every day now. I say that to say this. I LOVE my psychology class with MS. McCamic featuring Lou Tice more than any other. Who would have thought? I will have to write a separate blog to get you to understand what it has done for my understanding of my mind. Powerful stuff. I could be late but better late than never. In one month every doubt that I had about starting my own business has vanished and all I can see is success.
Until the time.
Yours Truly,
The Kid in the Candy Store.
The Chef's Academy North Carolina