Help me support myself through culinary school.

Hello my name is C.J.

I am a new high school graduate and will be attending Northwest Culinary Institute starting in July of 2022. My journey learning the culinary arts started at a young age, which has grown to be a passion. Raised by a single mother in poverty, my mother worked nights to pay the bills. When I was hungry she was either asleep or at work I had to fend for myself. The first thing I made was simple, egg noodles and butter, a classic. That became boring relatively quickly, so I found things to add. First, canned chicken breast, then spinach then cheese… and the list went on. The flavors became bolder as I experimented with spices and herbs I had in the cupboards. At first I couldn’t reach while standing on chairs to find the perfect fit for my pasta, but as I grew, so did my culinary abilities.

As I got older, my menu grew larger. My mom worked hard while going to school to get us out of the hole that so many are stuck in. It became more and more therapeutic when I could cook. The kitchen became a place where I felt I could exceed, where I could be myself. My mom enjoyed the food I was making, so, I began making breakfasts for her after work and dinner for her before she started her shift. Feeding my small family gave me a sense of confidence I hadn’t before. I was being raised in a new town with no family, nobody, but I found joy in creating new things.

Now I am on my way to culinary school. My love for food and the hospitality industry has grown over the years. I hope to start my working career as a prep-cook and hopefully one day either open my own restaurant, or maybe become a personal chef for a rapper or something like that. The possibilities for my career are endless and I plan to explore all parts of the culinary field.

I am asking for donations to help pay for necessities while living away from home. I will be going to school full time and getting a part time job to support myself, but the donations will be to help to reduce the financial burden, so I can focus on school. For those who donate, I will link a google form to receive a homemade recipe at the end of my program. There will be vegetarian/vegan options available. Recipes will range from breakfast to appetizers, to a full course meal, which will be provided to those with higher donations.

Thank you for reading, your attention is greatly appreciated. Please donate if you can, and share my gofund me. I look forward to providing you with recipes in return for your support while I follow my dream!