Throughout my childhood, I always had an interest in cooking. While all the other kids were outside playing, I would be in the kitchen with my mom and aunt watching them cook. I was always in their way, asking them questions about the food they were preparing. My mother would always make the best food in our family and neighborhood.
 

In the summer of 2000, after graduating high school, I got into some trouble that led me to a juvenile boot camp called Camp Scott. Being that I had already graduated high school, I was selected to take a college course within the boot camp, and I chose culinary arts because I already had a passion for cooking. We made all types of dishes from all over the world, European, Mediterranean, etc. I received 9 college credits at the end of the course. Shortly after, I was released to my family.

The following Summer of 2001, I enrolled in Mount San Antonio College. I was nervous, yes, but ready to start a new path for myself. I wanted to take culinary arts. However, that course wasn't available. So I decided to take radio broadcasting and a few other classes. It started off good, but of course, I was young and got caught up in college life. I started partying more and going to class less, my grades started to dropped I was discouraged . Eventually, I decided to leave school and pursue other things; which led me to prison.

“The secret of life is to fall seven times and get back up eight times” - Paulo Coelho

To me, those are words to live by. I’ve learned throughout life that you have to overcome a lot of obstacles in order to be successful because nothing in life comes easy. As a result, you must keep moving forward.

Back in 2016, the way I envisioned myself to keep moving forward was by enrolling at Los Angeles Trade Technical College to obtain my Associates Degree in Restaurant Management. I was determined to achieve my goals the second time around.

Though I went through so many ups and downs in my life from prison to losing important people in my life due to the changes I decided to make in my life, I continue to keep pushing forward.

This experience has allowed and continues to allow me to understand what “perseverance’ really means. I’m going to pursue my dreams and complete my goal of becoming one of the best chefs known.
I now know and understand that no matter how many times life knocks you down, you can always get right back up, dust yourself off, and try again and that is exactly what I intend to do.

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- Chef TJ