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

Micro-Blog from Mike Parsons

On the board.

The Student Advisory Board, unfortunately for many students they don't know what we do.  Yes we are the voice of the student body, but we are so much more.

As board members we are a gateway for your voice to be heard by faculty and staff anonymously. We are also repositories of activities, functions and knowledge.  We sometimes have information as to what happens behind closed doors, and can advise you to wait before saying something to anyone about something.

We help plan activities for the student body.  Did you know “Who's Left Cooking?” actually takes more than three weeks?  There are several weeks of planning and preparation needed.  Judges need to be contacted and arranged, someone has to show up early to get the kitchen setup as well as the chairs in the hall, and the judges room, and who do you think cleans it all up? 

We are also one of the first points of contact for new students.  Many of our current board members, myself included, have met and still talk with students who otherwise didn't know a soul when they started, and during  Grad Preview met someone they could relate to.

Being a student takes a lot, being a good student takes even more, but being on the Student Advisory Board takes a level of commitment that exceeds expectations on most reviews.  My employer had no issue working my schedule around the Advisory Board functions, and I know I have gotten more than one interview opportunity because of the embroidered Chef’s jacket that states I am on the Student Advisory Board at The Chef’s Academy.

OK, so it's not all glitz and glamour, even though we do have fun, it takes a commitment of time, as well as a willingness to want to help your fellow students.  Being a bit of an extrovert helps as well because you need to be able to meet new people with no problems.  You need to be open minded, and willing to listen with open ears. Oh, and you have to know how to keep a few secrets too! There are things we know that are planned as a surprise for students and faculty alike and we have the privilege of being in the know.

We meet almost every Friday at 9am and get a lot done in about an hour. Come join one of our meetings and see what it's all about.  Check with your class representative, and see what else we do, and if you don't know who we are, check out the shadow box across from the break room and get to know those faces.

We are your voice so meet us and tell us what to say!

Mike Parsons

Micro-Blog from Danielle Wilson

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.  ~Margaret Atwood

With spring well on its way, and summer about ready to move in (June 21^st at 1:16pm) the seedlings of Mother Nature have started to take shape. I had my very first home garden last year, and I enjoyed the days out in the sun. My body was always sore for a couple of days, but when the day was done it felt good to work with the dirt. I would come in from working in the yard, sun burnt, and dirty, but feeling accomplished. It’s almost therapeutic.

I have now become a member of the TCA’s Garden Club. We meet once a week, mostly on Friday’s, but have also moved the dates around so that others can come through the week. We usually communicate through Facebook or at school, and it’s really a great time! The conversation is always entertaining, and we learn a lot about gardening and each other which is a wonderful way to relieve stress. The Garden Club’s most important duty at school is keeping up with all of the garden areas. These last few weeks, we have started over 15 different types of vegetables. If you have any questions, talk to Chef T. You can find us on Facebook under TCA Garden Club. We hope to see you soon.

 It’s such a great feeling to look at the end of the summer and see the fruits of your labors.

By Danielle Wilson

Micro-Blog from Christopher Blice

Relationship Building with your classmates, instructors, peers is creating solid, healthy connections.  Building relationships start very early in life, by the time you enter into this world, relationships begin.  Born in 1957, relationship building was so different than it is today.  There was no internet social media, and mobile phones had not even been thought of.  Relationships were formed from face to face interactions and other physical manifestations of a greeting.

Building, then keeping the relationship begins to build a solid network of colleagues, and friends alike.  Respect for others, goes a long way.  One wise man once told me, “be careful whose toes you step on today, tomorrow you may be kissing their butt”.  This is so true in life, you may offend someone today,  and tomorrow they may be your boss, or you may need them  for a reference, whatever the case, it is crucial to show  everyone respect regardless of what your personal opinion is.

Following simple fundamentals such as honesty and respect, this will take you as far in life as you wish to go.  Giving back, paying it forward, whatever you wish to call it, giving back to society is important.  Giving back does not necessarily mean monetary.  Give your time, your knowledge, or whatever strength you may have that can be shared with others, even a simple “thank you” goes a long way with most.  It builds character, self esteem, not only in you but also for those around you.

Treat others the way you want to be treated and you will be amazed at the relationships that are built on simple fundamentals, such as dignity, honesty, respect but most of all humility.

Christopher Blice
TCA Pastry Arts 2012

Micro-Blog from Rodeny Franklin

Even Me

I have been on the Honor Roll almost every term; there was one term where I missed it by only one point. To see your name on the Honor Roll list in the glass case on the wall means so much to a lot of students. I have moved things around in my life to accommodate going to school.  I do not want to miss even one day, so I can once again get my name on the wall. Even though I have had to rearrange things in my life to do this, there are times when I have had to ask for help. I am taking a class right now that has been kicking my butt and I had to ask for help. There is no shame in asking for help, not even for me.

-Rodney Franklin
Student Advisory Board members

Micro blog from student Leisa Maddox

An Act of Kindness, A Moment of Your Time CAN Change a Person’s Life!

While debating on whether to enroll in The Chef’s Academy, I stopped to ask a student her opinion of the school. This person took a moment of her time (well, more like 20 minutes), to tell me how much she loved the school and that it was a great choice she made! She also offered her assistance to me while attending school! If it had not been for her taking a bit of her time out for me, I do not know if I would be here in school today. She is my mentor and I am very grateful for her! So, do know that your kindness and consideration of others can change a person’s life! Thank you Faye for your kindness, support and friendship!

-Leisa Maddox,
2nd term student and Student Advisory Board member

Micro-blog from student Austin Davis

If you guys don’t know me by now my name is Austin Davis. I am in the wonderful HRM (Hospitality/Restaurant Management) program and I enjoy every second of it thanks to my fantastic class mates as well as Ms. Jokima and Ms. Gwen. If you ever see me in the halls feel free to talk to me about anything you would like. So on February 20^th I turned 19, granted it’s not 18 or 21, but it’s still another year that I was able to be alive. I didn’t do a whole lot for my birthday, no extravagant parties or anything I just hung out with family and friends. I will say, however, the best part was on Saturday night I went cosmic bowling with my father, step mother, half sister, brother, soon to be sister-in-law, my roommate Forrest, and my girl friend, and they counted down to my birthday over the intercom and it made me feel really special. I also felt a lot of love from everyone who sent me birthday wishes on Facebook. To all those who are reading this, I would just like to thank you for being apart of a wonderful school, I truly do love The Chef’s Academy and I am glad I made the choice to attend. Hopefully I will see some of you in the hallways!