I am making this gofundme campaign because I have officially accepted a position as a prep cook at Alinea, and I am planning on moving to Chicago at the end of October.
This past June, I watched an episode of the Netflix series Chef's Table , that changed my life; literally. The first episode of the second season is about Chef Grant Achatz and his restaurant in Chicago called Alinea . The episode blew my mind, and made me realize that I wanted to work someplace that cared that much about the ingredients that they use and how they respect the food they serve.
A few weeks ago, Chef Grant invited cooks to apply to his restaurants, emphasizing how experience in fine dining was not needed. So I did. And three hours later, I got a response asking if I was looking for a career spot; and if I was, would I be willing to move to Chicago.
After completing a phone interview, I was offered the opportunity to come intern in three of Chef Grant’s restaurants, including Alinea. Alinea is now the 6th best restaurant in the world, so I literally had no choice but to jump at this opportunity.
On September 12th, I flew to Chicago with the plan of getting at least one job offer from one of the three restaurants.
I spent the first two days interning at Alinea. The following two days interning at Chef Grant's second restaurant, Next. And the final day at his third restaurant Roister.
At the end of my five day internship, I had received offers from all three restaurants. This is something I never expected to happen considering I would’ve taken a job as a dishwasher just so I could get my foot in the door.
But never the less, I received offers to be a cook at Alinea, Next, and Roister.
This is where you come in! To be completely honest, I spent almost all the money I had to fly to Chicago to intern and prepare myself for my five days in these restaurants. I plan on selling my car so I can pay for a flight to Chicago in October, but I am in desperate need of money to find an apartment.
If you could donate any amount of money to help me move to Chicago so I can work in one of the best restaurants in the world, it would mean everything to me. I am at a stage in my career where I am very impressionable. And right now I have the opportunity to surround myself with some of the best chefs in the world, and learn from them on a daily basis. If you could help me in any way, I would be for ever grateful.
This past June, I watched an episode of the Netflix series Chef's Table , that changed my life; literally. The first episode of the second season is about Chef Grant Achatz and his restaurant in Chicago called Alinea . The episode blew my mind, and made me realize that I wanted to work someplace that cared that much about the ingredients that they use and how they respect the food they serve.
A few weeks ago, Chef Grant invited cooks to apply to his restaurants, emphasizing how experience in fine dining was not needed. So I did. And three hours later, I got a response asking if I was looking for a career spot; and if I was, would I be willing to move to Chicago.
After completing a phone interview, I was offered the opportunity to come intern in three of Chef Grant’s restaurants, including Alinea. Alinea is now the 6th best restaurant in the world, so I literally had no choice but to jump at this opportunity.
On September 12th, I flew to Chicago with the plan of getting at least one job offer from one of the three restaurants.
I spent the first two days interning at Alinea. The following two days interning at Chef Grant's second restaurant, Next. And the final day at his third restaurant Roister.
At the end of my five day internship, I had received offers from all three restaurants. This is something I never expected to happen considering I would’ve taken a job as a dishwasher just so I could get my foot in the door.
But never the less, I received offers to be a cook at Alinea, Next, and Roister.
This is where you come in! To be completely honest, I spent almost all the money I had to fly to Chicago to intern and prepare myself for my five days in these restaurants. I plan on selling my car so I can pay for a flight to Chicago in October, but I am in desperate need of money to find an apartment.
If you could donate any amount of money to help me move to Chicago so I can work in one of the best restaurants in the world, it would mean everything to me. I am at a stage in my career where I am very impressionable. And right now I have the opportunity to surround myself with some of the best chefs in the world, and learn from them on a daily basis. If you could help me in any way, I would be for ever grateful.
Organizer
Sean Espinosa
Organizer
Kahului, HI