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

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

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

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