From my earliest memory, I can remember that cooking and baking was something I was always interested in. I loved experimenting with different recipes in the kitchen, drooling over the food network, and being amazed at the beautiful colours and combinations that cooking and food had to offer. I initially hadn’t even considered a career in the culinary arts and was trying to become a teacher by going into education. Thankfully, some advice given to me by an old friend convinced me to follow my passion and aim to combine both of my career goals by becoming a Foods instructor. I knew it would take more time and studying, but I figured that I would rather be 30 and living the life I wanted, than 30 and regretting the indecisions of past me.
I then decided to pursue my passion at NAIT, where I learned all the ins and outs of cooking, baking, and what it was really like working in a kitchen. I was influenced and taught by many outstanding chefs who encouraged me to embrace the opportunities that NAIT offered in order to expand my repertoire. From being a part of the school newsletter, to joining NAIT’s culinary team and competing in Dubai, to enjoying a work exchange in Portugal, NAIT took my experience to the next level by giving me valuable opportunities to learn and improve myself.
During school, I worked in a small family-owned restaurant called Belgravia Hub alongside a very dedicated and hard-working chef and owner. It was here that I discovered my love of baking, and where my skills really found a place to shine. My employer saw my potential and allowed me to make cakes and other baked goods. I made unique complementary products from savoury to sweet, and honed my decorating ability by personalizing the products to customer needs. In order to keep up with the high demand of my job, I even spent hours at a time each week practicing for my family and friends and gathering feedback. By the time I left Belgravia Hub after five years, I felt that I had finally achieved the level of expertise I needed to start my own business and share my passion with the world.
