Micro Blog: Toni-Rain Miller

As a relatively new student to the school, I found it important to become as active as possible in school activities, events, and clubs.  My participation in various events helped me to meet new people and acquainted me with the wonderful opportunities offered to students at The Chef’s Academy.  I am in my second term, and I found volunteering for various events exposed me to a lot more hands-on experiences in the culinary field that I would have never been made aware of if I had not become actively involved in the Student Advisory Board.

           I have learned from several instructors that 90% of the culinary field involves how you connect, network, and work well with others.  One may be highly skilled in cutting techniques or brazing various meats, but if you do not take advantage of opportunities afforded to you it can slow down your rate of success in the culinary field.  Having said that, I encourage everyone, even those with hectic schedules to make time to become active in school events or clubs; it may very well open the door to your future and a successful life in the culinary field.       

My Thoughts,

Toni-Rain Miller     

Micro Blog: Carly Hall

Are you a new student at TCA…..how about some advice?

By: Carly Hall (second term)

I shall begin with the obvious….wash and press your uniform regularly.  Hem your pants. Make sure you trim your nails.  Sharpen your knives.  Wash your hands.  Wear your hat when entering the kitchen.  Please make sure you get all of your hair under your hat. Take your apron and towels off before entering the restroom.  Always keep a spare uniform close by. Write your recipes. Read your recipes. Don’t try to get anything past the Chef’s…..it won’t work.  Have fun.

Now for the less obvious…. You will have to take classes other than just kitchen. It would be in your best interest to volunteer for events. If you do not know something, ask.  Be on time for class.  Don’t miss class. Be professional. Be respectful.  You aren’t always going to get along with your classmates.   You aren’t going to be able to cook like you do at home.  Write your recipes. Read your recipes.  Learn how to convert recipes. Taste your food as you go.  Wear gloves. Don’t be afraid to salt your dishes.  Read the chapters you are assigned. Don’t be nervous (I’m still working on this one and it’s obvious, isn’t it Chef A?).  Learn your LAND OF G!  Have fun.

Some of you may be starting college for the first time and others may be making a career change but whatever your reason for going to school, you are now walking into the halls of TCA as first term students. Congratulations! This is a school where you can get a $47,000 education or a $147,000 education….it’s all up to you (Thanks for the motivation Chef Eric). You will learn a lot about yourself in the first term.  Can you do this?  You will soon find out.  What do you want to do when you graduate?  Don’t know yet? Then take your time and see what unfolds. You have never heard of that food?  Try it and see if you like it. You can’t make a sunny-side up egg?  You will after your first term.  Also know that it is very difficult to prank Chef Eddie.

Don’t question your ability to learn and grow.  Have trust in yourself and you will do things you never imagined. When I read this quote from Brian Andreas it reminded me of how I felt during my first term.  The first time her laughter unfurled its wings in the wind, we knew that the world would never be the same. I knew my world would never be the same when I left the social work field and entered culinary school.  I hoped my new choices in life would bring me the happiness I was seeking and thus far, it has.  Every day I wake up with a smile on my face and the excitement of learning something new.  Now is the time to make your decisions…will culinary school make you smile and ignite your passions too?

Remember the Land of G…1 Gallon = 4 Quarts = 8 Pints = 16 cups = 256 Tablespoons = 768 Teaspoons

Burn it in your brain!

Micro Blog: Ellen Davinson

Get Out of your way!

My blog is about my first steps getting started at TCA.

I hated school… In high school I was bored out of my mind! My favorite classes were art and gym. I turned 16 and a magical new opportunity called a GED was now an option. I got a ride to Wake Tech, took the test and passed it in one week. I went to high school and turned in my books.

I worked at a crappy job but I stuck with it and ended up moving from the bottom to the top. I had worked at fast food kitchens part time on and off and I liked it. I always brought in food for people I worked with and they all said I should sell what I made. I loved cooking and I had wanted to check out school programs for cooking but everyone said I would hate it! They said I only liked cooking because that was what I did for fun; I would hate it if I cooked for a living. That stuck in my head and I didn’t pursue that dream for years! Well, the company I worked for went bankrupt!  I was good at what I did but I didn’t like it. So here is where it all started!

I was sitting at home with my two kids that were home for the summer. I was watching TV and a commercial came on about TCA. I got mad at the TV thinking “Why do they keep showing this place if it’s not located around here?” I saw the commercial for the second time and I decided to call only to find out it is in Morrisville!!! I talked to Ashley and the next day I was coming in with my kids for a tour!   I thought “Oh Great, here comes the sales pitch: we are this, we are that, it’s so easy.” Nope! She said, “Here are the kitchens, here is what we offer, it’s up to you!” Class started in a week and it was $50.00 to hold your spot.

All the former doubts rolled back in my mind. You can’t, you will hate it, you can’t afford it, you won’t fit in, this is nuts!!!! I breathed in looked at my kids and I thought just jump! I signed the check and was set up for orientation! Now when I talk to all of the people who said I shouldn’t, couldn’t…. They say wow they wish they could do it!

My point is simple. Get out of your own way quit holding yourself back! The people who said they wish they could follow their dreams can do so! They just have to GET OUT OF THEIR OWN WAY.

Micro Blog: Kelsey Monahan

My sister and I are extremely close in many ways. We are only 15 months apart in age, actually choose to hang out with each other, and have both found the loves of our lives. I think we look nothing alike, but many people say that they can tell that we are sisters. It wasn’t that long ago when we couldn’t even stand being in the same room. We fought constantly, I’m talking knock down drag out fighting. Despite it all I love her dearly and don’t know what I would do without her. I come from a family that loves to cook, and while it appears that I inherited the “good at cooking” gene, it totally skipped over my sister. We are talking like couldn’t figure out how to make frozen orange juice. Her culinary expertise covers boxed mac and cheese, hot pockets, and frozen pizza. Despite the messing up of pasta-roni, forgetting to put milk in the corn chowder, not being able to make frozen orange juice without calling mom; she has begun trying to be more of a little Susie home maker for her beau. Because of this, for Christmas, my family and I have decided to get her many “gag gifts” this year. From a step by step Anyone Can Cook book, complete with pictures and video, to wooden spoons and rubber spatulas. Just to cover our bases, we also got her beau a first aid kit and some tums. With all of this, it promises to be an entertaining Christmas and interesting attempts of cooking by my sister.

Happy Holidays!

Kelsey

Micro Blog: Rico Hawkins

Today is a day of thanks no matter what you don’t have you should be thankful for what you have. As a parent and a full time student and a person that has to work to survive thank GOD for life. The same things that make you smile will make you cry. I love cooking I love going to school I love spending time with my family but I miss my kid’s my son & daughter so my day of thanks was not all it could have been. I say this to you so you can learn from my pain. As we try to learn and go on with our lives thing’s will distract us people will tell us we can’t do it even your friend’s will try to stop you. Some will talk about you behind your back and to your face (We call them haters). Never I mean never let them steal your joy .For when you finish the GOLRY will be yours everything you went through will have been worth the pain and you have now WON even the haters will say I knew you could do it. Could do and would do are two different things. Only the people that care about you, want to see you, me, we, us succeed. Now that we are finish I can spend time with my kids and give thanks that you could learn from my pain. The same thing that makes you cry can make you smile.

Rico Hawkins