Italian Education: Mission AlFresco

I am Chandler Tomayko.  Chef, daughter, friend, blogger, dancer, photographer and weirdo.  Salone del Gusto is an adventure I embark on every two years to further my education.  During the span of 5 days I take classes, network with industry professionals and increase my cultural exposure.  I request sponsors because they always enhance my trip with support and increased opportunity.  The funds collected are used strictly for trip expenses which include: classes, flights, membership fees and miscellaneous travel expenses (lodging and meals).  Why should you sponsor me?  Here are my thoughts on the matter.

I work hard.  I play harder.  I am driven and determined whether it be devouring a bag of gummi bears or jetting to another country.  I am persistent and stubborn but open-minded and open-armed to new experiences and lessons.  What I learn, I do not keep to myself selfishly, I share it.  I pass along techniques to colleagues to help update their knowledge, I exchange information with students so they can grow and I share recipes with friends so they can impress their friends.

I travel hungry.  Hungry for knowledge and novelty.  I strive to stay humble and keep in mind that other than representing myself, I also represent my sponsors.  Through my photography and my writing I make attempts to entertain while also documenting the happenings of my journey.  I snap photos left and right.  I introduce myself to complete strangers. I am a shameless fool travelling to other lands. 

This year Salone del Gusto is taking the festival outdoors.  The dates have been moved up to September so attendees can enjoy autumn weather.  Places such as Valentino Park, the banks of River Po, Piazza San Carlo, Via Roma and Piazzale Valdo Fusi will be used as stages for the Slow Food movement.  The class roster is now online and available for booking; seminars are usually fully reserved within a month and a half of becoming available.

You may sponsor me because it is a nice thing to do or because you live vicariously through my travels.  You may even sponsor me because we have met and got along well.  I hope you sponsor me because you believe in the things I do, because you have read about my ongoing project with the International Poor Chef School or at the very least because you want me to help me accomplish bigger and better things.