Tristan heading to Modena, Italy for externship

Hello, our names are Todd & Jenny Beilman. We are fundraising for our son Tristan's externship in Modena, Italy starting Aug 2022.

Tristan realized his passion for cooking and began working at a local restaurant in Northern Colorado. Through this experience and the encouragement of Chef Ron, Tristan applied for, got accepted and started attending the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY, in January 2022.

Tristan has flourished at CIA and has enjoyed learning as he said, “I learned about basic French cooking techniques, food sustainability, food service and HOSPITALITY, and meat identification and breakdown. Later this semester, I'll do seafood identification and breakdown, a la carte, banquet, Asian, American, French and Italian fine-dining cuisine and then front of house and wine servicing.”

Part of the required learning at CIA is to engage in an externship to get hands-on learning in a restaurant setting under a chef. In August 2021, a chef at Mizuna in Denver advised Tristan, who said, “if you have the opportunity, always work for the best!” With this advice in mind, Tristan applied for and was accepted for an externship at Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy working under Chef Massimo (check out Netflix’s Chef’s Table Season 1 Episode 1 )!

Tristan is looking forward to the following through his externship: “I will learn all about Italian gastronomic cookery from a 3 Michelin star restaurant which includes learning about the largest balsamic vinegar producer in the world and parmesan cheese.”

We are thrilled Tristan will be embarking on this experience! The reality is this is an unpaid externship, and the cost is above the tuition he is already paying to attend CIA. As his family, we want to get the word out and enlist your help to raise the funds he needs for living and travel expenses while he is living in Modena, Italy (mid-August through Jan 2023). Any help towards Tristan’s dream, passion and required learning is greatly appreciated. Also, prayers would be appreciated for all the details to come together! Thank you, Todd & Jenny Beilman